Page 26 - Silver Lakes Issue 3 March 2023

GARDENING

SOIL IMPROVEMENT

By Elize Malan

he everyday gardener is familiar with Soil in a garden can be altered on a small winter. The soil will remain warm under
the soil classification sand, loam scale to provide the correct conditions for the mulch, it won’t dry out easily and
Tor clay, and the fact that different annuals and perennials. When you have mulch will have a positive effect on your
combinations will give structure to the soil. plants with deep root systems such as small ecosystem.
Structure refers to the arrangement of solids trees, the wrong soil type can be disastrous. • Add water-retaining products to the soil
and pore spaces within the soil that will when planting young shrubs and trees.
allow water penetration and air movement. How to improve the soil that you The tender roots of young plants cannot
have go in search of water and food, so we
When a hole is dug, the soil profile • Cover the soil with a layer of mulch and need to provide for the roots during the
will show layers. The top layer usually do not dig. The best time to start is in first few years.
comprises decomposed plant material,
followed by a mixed layer and the last layer,
which consists of decomposed bedrock.
All these layers have living elements such
as bacteria, fungi and earthworms that
interact with plant roots and keep plants
healthy.

It’s important to understand that soil is a
living entity, so we need to treat it as such.
Very few stands in suburbs/estates are
blessed with good, loamy garden soil.

Start by knowing your soil classification and
choose suitable plants. Unsuitable plants
on your wish list can be grown in containers
or built-up flowerboxes. Where applicable,
prevent building contractors from covering
up their building debris with a thin layer of
topsoil.

24 | INTRAMUROS MARCH 2023