Get Down And Dirty

If you want your backyard to always look its best, you need to give it year-round care and attention

- Karen Booth

At the end of the day, you get out of the garden what you put into it. A well-maintained garden will increase the enjoyment and benefits you receive, and it should also increase the value of your property. While some gardens are easier to maintain than others, all require upkeep. Soil needs to be replenished, mulch reapplied, leaves raked and composted, weeds pulled and hedges trimmed. Some of these tasks are ongoing, some seasonal; others just need to be done as needed.

THE GOOD EARTH

The secret to maintaining healthy plants is to keep the soil healthy. Fertile, nutrient-rich soil is vital to keeping all kinds of plants alive, be they ornamentals or edibles, border plants or trees. Soil conditioning improves the structure of the soil, facilitates water penetration and retention, and boosts the availability of nutrients which all plants need to grow.

There are microbial rock mineral products you can dig through the soil to restore life and vitality, while some people prefer to use seaweed extract products that feed microbial life in the soil. These products also reduce the amount of nutrients that leach out of the soil and contain trace elements that are vital for plant health.

Many people choose to just use compost to boost organic matter in the soil. Compost is a loose earth-like material and is a natural fertilizer and conditioner that greatly improves the water efficiency of soil and provides nutrients needed by plants. You can buy compost but the most economical way to make sure your garden has an abundant supply that is ready when you need it is to make your own.

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