START YOUR GARDEN RIGHT

An ounce of preparation while you're sheltering at home can yield a summer of garden bounty

Courtesy of Soil Science Society of America

April 16, 2020 – Gardeners, are you eager for winter to lose its icy grip? There’s no time like the present to improve your garden knowledge! Soils Matter, Soil Science Society of America’s science-based blog, provides insights to starting off the garden season.

• First things first: start with good soil! A few simple at-home observations, paired with soil analysis from a lab, can help you keep up with your garden’s needs: What can I tell by looking at and touching my soil? 
• Digging a hole is simple, right? A little planning and better technique can give your plants the best chance at success: Is there actually a right way to dig a hole for planting?  
• And, if you have old seeds hanging around, you’ll want to test them first. Find out the keys to seed germination: What are the factors that determine seed germination? 
• Having enough organic matter in your garden soil is important. And, once you get it there, how to keep carbon in your soil? Read here: How can I help my soil hold more carbon? 
• While you’re adding organic matter, learn more about natural soil amendments: How can I use natural materials to build soil fertility in my garden? 
• You may want to fertilize early in the season – but are you doing it in a manner that is safe for the environment? Timing and placement are key: How do I keep more of the nitrogen in my soil?  
• Finally, what should you think about before using fertilizers and pesticides? There’s a lot to consider before making your purchase: What should I consider before using fertilizers and pesticides at home? 
  
   

​Soils Matter is a blog of the Soil Science Society of America. New blogs are posted on the 1^st of and 15^th of every month and are written by member scientists. Sustainable, Secure Food is a blog of written by members of the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America. It publishes on the 7^th and 22^nd of every month.

Sign photo by Martha Pings

American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Crop Science Society of America: Collectively, these Societies represent more than 12,000 individual members around the world. The scientists' memberships build collaborating partnerships in the agronomy, crops, and soils science fields for the advancement of knowledge.