Prepare Soil for Good Yield
Flowers and vegetables require good soil to produce a good yield. Sandy loam soils are preferred. A fertile, well-drained soil allows roots to expand and produce healthy plants. Organic compost, aged manure, leaf mold and other additives improve the garden. They are the helpful standbys for gardeners. Vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight, and some need more. Leafy vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, spinach) require less sun than root vegetables (carrots, onions, potatoes). Root vegetables need less sun than fruit-bearing ones (cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes). Avoid planting near roots of trees and shrubs that compete for nutrients and moisture. Plant outside the drip line of trees, to decrease plant growth and limit production of quality vegetables. A planned garden saves time, cost and space. In sandy soils, organic matter helps retain moisture and adds nutrients. In clay soils, inorganic materials break up the soil and create spaces that allow water and air to travel through the soil. Large amounts are needed; otherwise the result will resemble concrete. The following can be used: Perlite, a white, glass-like volcanic material, about one-tenth the weight of sand that is often included in potting mixes; Vermiculite, a mica mineral with spongelike kernels that are highly porous but very lightweight that is included in potting mixes; and coarse builders’ sand, not fine sand, nor sand from the seashore.