2. Focus on the Soil

2. Focus on the SoilThe old adage, "Feed the Soil and Let the Soil Feed the Plants", does so much more than reward you with great looking plants. There’s more going on in the soil than expanding plant roots. There’s a whole world in there, teaming with life forms that contribute to one another. Synthetic fertilizers may provide a quicker fix, but a healthy soil can sustain itself and your plants for the long run.
If you are growing flowers or vegetables, you are going to need some supplemental feeding during the growing season. It’s exhausting to keep blooming and producing without a rest. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still use an organic fertilizers that will contribute something to the soil while feeding your plants. Synthetic quick fixes are like a having a cup of coffee after you’ve pulled an all-nighter. You think you’re fine, but your body knows better.
What Should You Do?:
Get a complete . Find out what nutrients are missing in your soil and add amendments accordingly.
Enrich the soil before you plant your garden. At the very least, add 3-4 inches of decaying and work it into the top couple of inches of soil.
Till the soil as little as possible. Tilling breaks up the soils structure and disturbs the organisms living in it. Of course, if your soil is too hard to plant in, some tilling will be necessary.
Side dress established plants with compost or composted manure. This will slowly replenish the soil where you needs it most - by the plant’s roots.
Don’t leave the soil uncovered, so that rain and erosion can wash away nutrients and weed seed can take hold. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants and plant a on beds that are left fallow.