Everything You Need to Know About DIRT

Its that time of year when your gardening brain should be focused on your soil. This is a fact; the amount of effort you put into preparing your soil correlates to how good your produce and crop will be! Of course, this is only my opinion. :) These are tips and tricks I have learned for raised garden beds and greenhouse plots in Inuvik.

 

At the start of the garden season your beds/plot will be rock hard. I assume that ALL of the nutrients have been sucked out of the soil and it is depleted of everything. I don't think soil testing works in such a small space but scientists say it does. I say don't waste your time on soil testing, your soil needs a bit of all nutrients added to it.

 

1. First task, dig up your plot. This means digging right to the bottom and tossing and turning it all. Don't remove too much of the rocks as you need this too (Please don't sift your soil!!! Worst idea EVER!). At the greenhouse there will be a layer of styrofoam at the bottom of the plot to prevent your from digging to China. The digging/turning should take at you at least half- 2/3 of a day. if people are done quicker it means they haven't dug out the whole plot. Take your time.

2. As you dig your plot be repairing or stapling any of the plastic liners in your raised beds or plot. Make sure the liner is stuck right to the walls of your plot and is not floating within your garden.

3. Start adding nutrients. I add anything organic I can find but I always include bone meal, chicken fertilizer and manure. Other things might be plant food, lime or other things from the hardware store. Adding organic compost material is also a must, at the greenhouse we can thank the compost volunteers for this nutrient rich mix. Mix everything together with your soil. I have been told that you should have a lot of nutrients and compost materials added specifically to the top 2-3 inches of your soil.

4.  Rake out your soil evenly and you can add some liquid fertilizer to the top (to soak into the soil). There is no need to add water until you are ready to actually plant.

 

I always mean to save some other things for garden nutrients, such as; egg shells for calcium and woodstove ashes for neutralizing the soil. I might try to remember to do this this year.

If you ask a scientist they will explain the combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that each type of plant needs for the perfect growing condition but I believe (if you are a home gardener like me), just add as much as you can of whatever you can find. Gardeners also talk a lot about pH levels and need to keep things at about a 6.5-7 pH but I have never tested this. The key though is to avoid adding nothing!

Last tip, you can start covering your plot with plastic sheets to begin creating more heat in the garden. This will begin the final prep for seeds and starter plants!

Happy digging!

S.