Soil

Even at my ripe old age, I learn something new about gardening every year. Sometimes old information dormant in my head comes back to my attention. The importance of good soil has been revived in my plans for my garden this year. I thought if I just used compost my soil health and ability to support intense vegetable and flower gardening would eliminate my need for fertilizers. I have learned from the reduced development of fruit and flowers that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the soil must be in balance at the right time with the right weather and the consistent watering. However compost will not provide this balance without help.

From an article I read which pointed out that while the compost breaks down it uses the nitrogen from the soil as well as other nutrients and may not have the phosphorus or potassium needed for roots, fruits and flowers. Therefore this year I have applied bone meal or organic root starter fertilizer to the soil as I did transplants. I will switch to fish emulsion as the leaves appear and then either a balanced fertilizer or fertilizer to stimulate blossoms as the buds appear. I will apply compost in mid summer and fall to the top of the soil to improve the soil over time, rather than think that tilling in my golden compost will create the perfect garden!