Give your soil some love

Feed your garden’s foundation and get results, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

THE success of your garden stands or falls on the state of your soil and in autumn, after a hard summer of growing, it is time to give it some TLC.

If your soil is heavy and clay-based, this is the ideal moment to dig in lots of organic matter (rotted compost or manure) and grit to open it up, improve drainage and help prevent waterlogging and flooding this winter.

Digging in well-rotted organic matter will also benefit thin, chalky soil as it gives it more heft, improving its ability to retain water and hold on to any fertilizers you add over the coming months.

It is also a good idea to test your soil now to find out which areas require extra attention. If plants in one patch haven’t been flowering or fruiting as well as expected, you may need to enrich the soil with a potassium-based fertilizer.