Soil Fertility Guide: Improve & Maintain Garden Soil

Soil types significantly impact plant growth, water retention, and nutrient availability. Identifying your soil type allows you to make the necessary amendments to improve its fertility and structure.

• Sandy Soil: Light and drains quickly, making it prone to nutrient loss. It warms up quickly in spring but requires regular organic matter additions, such as compost and mulch, to retain moisture and nutrients.
• Clay Soil: Heavy and slow-draining, rich in nutrients but susceptible to compaction and waterlogging. Adding gypsum, organic matter, and aeration improves its structure and drainage.
• Loam Soil: The ideal soil type, combining sand, silt, and clay in a balanced mix. It retains moisture while draining efficiently and is rich in nutrients.
• Silty Soil: Fine-textured and retains moisture well but can become compacted. Organic matter helps enhance drainage and structure.
• Peaty Soil: High in organic matter, dark, and moisture-retentive but can be acidic. Lime may be needed to balance pH levels.
• Chalky Soil: Alkaline and free-draining with large particles, often requiring organic material and sulphur to improve nutrient availability.

How to Identify Your Soil Type

1. The Feel Test: Take a handful of moist soil and rub it between your fingers.
   Gritty = Sandy soil
   Sticky and smooth = Clay soil
   Soft and crumbly = Loam soil
2. The Jar Test:
   Fill a clear jar with soil and water, shake it well, and let it settle.
   Sand settles at the bottom, silt in the middle, and clay at the top.
   The proportions of each layer indicate your soil type.
3. Drainage Test:
   Dig a small hole and fill it with water.
   If water drains quickly, it's sandy; if it takes hours, it's clay-heavy.

Knowing your soil type allows you to select the right amendments and fertilisers for optimal plant growth. Explore our selection of soil conditioners to enrich your garden soil.

How to Improve Soil Health

Boosting soil health involves improving its structure, nutrient content, and microbial activity.

• Add Organic Matter: Compost, well-rotted manure, and mulch improve soil texture and fertility.
• Encourage Beneficial Microbes: Worms and microorganisms break down organic material and enhance soil health.
• Improve Drainage and Aeration: Raised beds and aeration tools help prevent compaction and waterlogging.

Explore our composters and worm farms and learn how to make garden soil the right way.

Soil pH and Nutrient Balance

The pH level of soil affects how well plants absorb nutrients.

• Acidic Soil (pH <6.0): Common in high rainfall areas. Lime helps raise pH.
• Neutral Soil (pH 6.0–7.5): Most plants thrive in this range.
• Alkaline Soil (pH >7.5): Gypsum or sulphur can lower pH to improve nutrient uptake.

Regularly testing your soil allows you to adjust nutrient levels accordingly.

Year-Round Soil Preparation and Maintenance

Summer

• Mulch garden beds to retain moisture.
• Use compost to improve soil fertility.
• Water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong root growth.

Autumn

• Apply organic matter to replenish nutrients lost in summer.
• Sow cover crops to enhance nitrogen levels.
• Turn over soil to aerate and break down organic material.

Best Soil for Specific Plants

Vegetable Gardens

• Loamy, well-drained soil enriched with compost.
• High in organic matter for continuous nutrient supply

Raised Beds

• A mix of compost, topsoil, and premium potting mix ensures balanced nutrition.
• Raised beds improve drainage and aeration.

Succulents & Indoor Plants

• Fast-draining soil to prevent root rot.
• Perlite and sand improve aeration.

Find the best soil for your needs.

Testing & Maintaining Soil Fertility

• DIY Soil Testing Kits: Help assess pH and nutrient content.
• Professional Soil Testing: Provides detailed analysis for major nutrient levels.
• Regular Soil Care: Maintain fertility by adding compost and monitoring plant health.

Conclusion

Improving soil fertility is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and care. By understanding soil types, testing pH levels, and using seasonal strategies, you can create a thriving garden year-round. Explore our range of soils, fertilisers, and gardening tools to keep your soil in peak condition.

For more DIY gardening tips, check out our gardening guides.