Successful Gardens Start With Rich Soil

by Regina Cutter Edwards – Entomologist

Soil is the foundation of any garden and is very important for having a successful butterfly garden. People often plant gardens without a thought about whether the soil can sustain the life of the plants. Soil is essential because it supports plants by supplying nutrients and water. If the soil is not adequate, the plant will not flourish to its fullest potential.

What is Soil?

Soil is the medium in which plants grow. It consists of broken-down rocks and minerals. It also contains organic material, such as decaying plants, animal matter, and micro-organisms that live in the soil. Soil also has water and air.

Soil Texture

Soils have three particle sizes; sand, silt, and clay. These particle sizes affect the productivity of the ground. For example, sand is the largest particle size. It has excellent drainage but does not hold nutrients in the soil. Clay has the smallest particles and will retain nutrients, but the drainage is poor. A combination of any of these is called a loam. A good garden mixture may contain 10-20% of sand, silt, and clay in equal amounts, and the rest is organic material.

The best way to modify soil texture is to add compost or humus to your soil and till the ground 12-18 inches deep for the best root development. This helps the tilth, the workability of the soil while adding organic matter to your soil. Adding compost to clay soils will create space for air and water while providing more room for root growth. Adding compost to sandy soil will increase its ability to maintain water moisture and nutrients. Adding compost to any garden will increase the biological activity within the soil, retain moisture, and assist in keeping nutrients essential for plant growth.

Soil Nutrients

The three primary macronutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Large amounts of these nutrients in the soil are essential for growth and maintaining the plant’s health. If there is a nitrogen deficiency, plants may have older leaves or stems that are pale in color or yellow. The growth may also be very slow and limited. Plants that have a phosphorous deficiency may have small leaves that appear reddish-purple. Older leaves may appear blackened or burnt. If there is a potassium deficiency, the older leaves may appear wilted or scorched along the leaf margins.

Soil pH

The pH in the soil is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity in the soil. The pH scale is between 1.0 and 14.0. A neutral pH is considered 7.0, an acidic pH is < 7.0, and an alkaline pH is >7.0.

PH is essential because it affects organism activity in the soil, the solubility of nutrients, and the availability of nutrients that the plant absorbs. Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 because this is when most nutrients are available, although some plants require the pH to be more acidic or alkaline.

Modifying the pH in the soil is only temporary and should be checked seasonally. To increase the pH, add lime. It is more challenging to lower the pH, although a mixture of sulfur, peat, and fertilizer would be a good option. At times it may be easier to add the nutrients needed by the plants instead of trying to lower the pH. If the plants are already set, be careful not to shock them; adding small amounts instead of the whole recommended amount would be less stressful.

Soil Testing

Soil testing can determine the types of nutrients in the soil and the pH level. Testing can be done with home tests or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for information regarding testing services. The results will determine what needs to be added to the soil.

It is best to get your soil tested in the spring or the fall. Repeating the test seasonally is a good idea because many nutrients leach out of the ground over time and are used up by plants as they grow. When selecting a garden location, testing the soil before actually planting is ideal.

Tools for Soil Preparation

Preparing and maintaining healthy soil requires the right tools. Here are a few essentials:

Shovel/Spade: For digging, turning soil, and mixing amendments.
Garden Fork: For loosening soil, aerating, and mixing compost.
Trowel: For planting seedlings and small transplants.
Hand Rake: For leveling soil and removing debris.
Wheelbarrow/Garden Cart: For transporting compost, soil, and other materials.
You can find these and other helpful gardening tools on our Buy Supplies Page.

Gardening at Home

When you know what is lacking in the soil, add proper amounts of organic material and fertilizers to create the perfect foundation for a butterfly garden. If possible, composting at home and the use of organic fertilizers is always beneficial for the environment and our gardens at home.