CARE FOR YOUR SOIL

29TH MARCH 2023

NERD WORD - Pedogenesis : the formation or evolution of soil

Wait! What is this?!'. A big stone, and another one, and another one! Where did they come from? Did some mischievous kid bury a bunch of them for me to find this spring? Magic? The gods? Well, that could be, April Fool's Day isn't that far away. But maybe this time the children were actually innocent.

Removing stones and debris from you soil can be beneficial for plants as it allows their roots to spread and grow with more ease. Stones can also interfere with water drainage and cause soil compaction, which can hinder plant growth. Additionally, removing stones can help increase the soil's ability to retain moisture and nutrients, which can improve overall plant health Here's what makes these stones mysteriously appear. Stones are better conductors of heat than soil, so the stone conducts heat away from the warmer soil beneath it. When the ground thaws a space is left under the stone which fills with dirt, so the stone rests a little higher. Over a period of time this repeated freezing, expanding, upward push, and filling underneath eventually shoves the rock to the surface.

There's always that nice big mound of stone in the corner of the garden of every garden where we piled them. Dependent on the type of stone you have, theres plenty of ways to reuse them throughout the garden How to use stones throughout your garden

Stones can be used in a variety of ways throughout your garden. Here are a few ideas:

• Create a pathway using large stones or pebbles

• Use stones to create a border around flower beds or a vegetable garden

• Build a rock garden using a variety of sizes and types of stones

• Use stones to create a water feature or fountain

• Use flat stones as stepping stones to cross over a small stream or creek in your garden.

Here are some basic all year round tips for caring for your soil:

• Test your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels.

• Add organic matter such as compost, manure, or mulch to improve soil structure and fertility.

• Rotate your crops to prevent soil depletion and disease buildup.

• Avoid over-tilling or compacting your soil, which can damage its structure and reduce its water-holding capacity.

• Use natural pest control methods instead of relying on harmful chemicals that can harm soil health.