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Understand local terror
Test your ground.
Each type of landscape is explained
How to improve the soil
Depending on where you live, you may have one of six different types of soil: clay, silt, sand, silt, chalk, or peat. Knowing what type of soil you have in your garden is important and will help you create a lush, self-sustaining garden, choose the right plants and solve any problems. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to find out what you're dealing with.
Related: Best Soil Types for Growing Succulents and Cacti
Know your local terror
To find out what kind of soil you have, you need look no further than your neighborhood. John Clements, director of the San Diego Botanical Garden, says most soils in a given region are similar. There are excellent resources to help you find your soil type and other gardening questions: local garden clubs, county agricultural officers, local college agriculture and horticulture departments, or regional gardening groups. Facebook," she says.
Don't ignore your neighbors: "No matter where you live, other gardeners have experience with the soil in the area. A neighborhood gardener can be a very valuable resource," says Clements.
Test your ground.
If you haven't found a community of backyard gardeners yet, there are some at-home options you can try, says Ana Maria Torres, founder of At Architect.
Do a soil test yourself
"You can do a stabilization test by adding a cup of soil to a large mason jar; shake it well and let it sit overnight," says Torres. Check the condition of the water the next morning to determine the type of soil you have:
Lime and clay: Degraded water
Sandy soil: clean water
Peat soil: Particles that float on water
Clay soil: gray water and clear, shiny lumps at the bottom of the glass
Clay soil: Fresh water with fine particles floats on the surface
Soil pH test
If you want to get more technical, you can use a pH test kit to determine the acidity level of your soil and match the results to the pH level of each soil type, Torres says.
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Each type of landscape is explained
Clay
This type of soil contains at least 25% clay and is particularly good at retaining nutrients due to the fine structure of each soil particle, explains Anton Ledin, indoor plant expert at Planta App. "Depending on how clay soils are treated, they can be compact, slow-draining and difficult to work, or they can have a good overall porous structure that allows drainage and root formation. A good environment." he said.
You feel a heavy object (like a vehicle) landing on clay soil. "Vehicles do a lot of damage and compress any air pockets, leaving only dry clay," he says. "The best ways to improve compacted soil are to cultivate it in the fall (in frozen locations)—freezing temperatures break the soil into smaller clumps—or to introduce biological activity by adding compost plants."
Identification of clay soil
To make sure you have clay soil, try a "compaction test" using a wet soil sample, says Clement. He suggests holding it in your hand and squeezing it gently. "Soil that is sticky, self-absorbing and compacted is clay," she says, adding that mulch can be very beneficial, especially if you have this type of soil. "Clay covering reduces the possibility of excessive expansion and contraction and prevents the sun from baking the clay into a hard, impermeable 'clay'."
Growing plants in clay soil
If you're looking for plants to grow in this type of soil, try some of Lady's tips.
pink
potato
Most vegetables
day lily
host
The heart of the bergenia leaf
Lilac
Cone flower
Sandy soil
Some states like Florida and Texas are more likely to see soils composed of sand. This type of soil drains quickly; It warms up quickly in spring and cools down quickly in autumn, Ledin. "Compared to other types of soil, it doesn't hold nutrients or water well," she says. "This means it dries quickly, which can be useful when some plants are growing."
Plants that are more sensitive to moisture (especially in the winter months) will do well in sandy loam soils, but anything that prefers wet conditions will not do well indoors in such soils.
Identify sandy soil
Test your voice to see how it works when you squeeze a container in your hand. "It's hard ground sand that doesn't stick and falls on your toes," says Clements. "Sandy soils are poor in nutrients and do not hold moisture well. Organic matter helps the sand retain moisture and increase fertility."
Plants grow in sandy soil
If you're working with sandy soil, try planting these varieties, says Ledin:
Vegetables such as carrots, beets, parsley, potatoes, onions and garlic
Perennial alpine plant
Sweet
Cactus
Alluvial soil
Clay people have the best of both worlds; A fertile, well-drained soil that holds water. "It mainly contains medium mineral particles that can form in porous or compacted soil, depending on the other ingredients," says Ledin. "This type of soil is often washed by rain and water more than others, so it is good to plant ground covers in exposed areas for many years to prevent soil erosion.
Alvia soil identification
Check your soil type with Clements' squeeze test: "Very fine soil particles have a soapy, water-resistant, mud-like feel," he says, adding compost and mulch to improve them. "Surface water prevents fine soil particles from being easily absorbed."
Plants grow in soil
ledino says:
Annual and perennial ornamental grasses
Trees and shrubs, especially those that like moist soil such as willow and dogwood
Number of pipe and tube plants
The Legend of Geth / Guido
Clay soil
This type of soil repeats what was mentioned before: clay, sand and clay. "It's generally covered with fertile sandy loam or sand, depending on what's in it," says Ledin. "It's very easy to work with and has the advantages of clay and sandy soil, but less damage than either."
Identification of clay soil
"Clay soil holds its shape to a certain extent, but [then] breaks easily," says Clements.
Plants can grow in clay soil
The good news is that most garden plants thrive in potting soil, Ledin says, especially for perennial and annual flower and vegetable gardens.
Pea soil
Most people don't have peas in their garden; It's rare and doesn't occur naturally, Ledin says. "Peat is porous and very good at holding water and nutrients. Almost all bagged soil sold for indoor gardening and growing is pea-based, with a very small percentage of other mixes," she said. "Peat soil is almost pure organic matter and will break down and decrease in size over time."
Plant growth in soil
Because it's the general type of soil sold at most nurseries and garden centers, most plants will do well, Ledin says, but there are some that will grow like all heather plants (think rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias). why? The pH of the peat will be low if lime is not added.
Limestone soil
Sometimes described as calcareous soil, limestone is a type of alkaline soil that can be light or heavy depending on the composition. “It's hard to lower the pH of alkaline soil; the heather cannot grow," says Ledin. "Clay soils are characterized by a pH greater than 7 and therefore can have different grain sizes, but are generally associated with clay-rich soil types."
Identification of crop land
If you suspect you have chalky soil, you can try the vinegar squeeze test. "Soils that look hard and soft when placed in vinegar," says Clements. "In highly alkaline limestone soils, organic matter helps retain moisture and maintain a low pH."
Plant growth in culture soil
According to Ledini, many plants will do well in this type of soil.
Vegetables such as asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, garlic, peas, beans, beets and squash
EYE
Geranium
lavender
Iris
Larkspurs
Licking at home
Clematis
World Health Organization
Forsyth
Lilac
Ginko
Decorated with cherry blossoms
RELATED: 26 Great Ideas for Your Garden That Will Completely Change Your Landscape
How to improve or improve your land
According to all our experts, the secret to improving your soil is the same no matter what. "All soil types benefit from the addition of organic matter. A great soil is 60% inert matter (sand, sand, clay, silt or lime) and 40% organic matter for better growth," says Clement. "Add well-rotted compost often." Dry land is different: it's already perfect, says Clement.
But don't get used to it too quickly. Adjust what you plant before you change what you have (native plants that grow in your unique soil type will do better in the long run), says Torres.
Changing soil pH
If you are about amending the soil, pay attention to the pH. "Some plants like acidic soil, some like alkaline soil," Torres explained. "If you decide what you want to grow and where to grow it, you can raise the pH by adding lime, which makes the soil more alkaline; adding aluminum sulfate makes the soil more acidic."
compost and green sand
Addition of organic matter, such as old, flat compost will better support clay and clay soils that are more difficult to cultivate, Torres says. Like mud and sand? "A substance called green sand can be added to [these] soils to loosen or bind as needed," he said.
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