NEWS

January 20, 2023

Getting Your Garden Spring Ready

Make a Plan

Know the type of plants you are growing, have a layout plan, and know what you planted the following year. This will determine if certain plants need to be rotated and which ones can't be planted (Ex don't plant potatoes where you planted tomatoes the following year and vice versa.)

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Soil

Whether you have clay, sand, or beautiful enriched soil, take the time to recognize what you have and know how to fix it. Clay is dense and holds onto a lot of moisture which can easily cause overwatering. Using a clay breaker compost, or a mixture of gypsum, mulch and peat moss will break it down so you can get nice soil.Sand provides really good drainage, but unfortunately, can cause extreme under watering and drought conditions for your plants. Make sure to add composted soils, peat moss or coconut coir, triple mix to add moisture retention to your soil.Enriched soils will not remain enriched forever! Add in mushroom compost, sea compost, alfalfa pellets or a triple mix to re-establish your nutrient levels every spring and at the end of the season.

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pH and Nutrient Levels in Your Soil

Tests are simple and are inexpensive. This is important to know what needs to be added in the garden with pH adjusters and amending your soil. pH is important because each plant requires specific pH to take up nutrients.If your pH is too high, use aluminum sulphate or fast acting sulfur.If your pH is too low, use dolomitic lime or fast acting lime.Nutrient tests in the soil allow you to be proactive and apply the right compost, manure or slow release fertilizer to your garden. The better balanced nutrient care in your garden, the better the yield for your plants, as well as, the healthier the plants you will have.

Rototill your garden after applying your soil amendments and your compost soils. This loosens up soil after being frozen (generally do this when the ground thaws), and it also spreads your nutrients and soils down to a beneficial depth. If you don't have a large garden, or use a raised bed, there are handheld tillers available.

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GUIDE

Getting Your Garden Spring Ready

We know, we know! You’re like us and itching to get outside in the garden and plant.Well, before you can get outside, it’s important to know how to prepare and understand the fundamentals of creating a successful garden.

Written by

Dutch Growers Saskatoon

BLOG

Getting Your Garden Spring Ready

We know, we know! You’re like us and itching to get outside in the garden and plant.Well, before you can get outside, it’s important to know how to prepare and understand the fundamentals of creating a successful garden.

Written by

Dutch Growers Saskatoon

Make a Plan

Know the type of plants you are growing, have a layout plan, and know what you planted the following year. This will determine if certain plants need to be rotated and which ones can't be planted (Ex don't plant potatoes where you planted tomatoes the following year and vice versa.)

‍

Soil

Whether you have clay, sand, or beautiful enriched soil, take the time to recognize what you have and know how to fix it. Clay is dense and holds onto a lot of moisture which can easily cause overwatering. Using a clay breaker compost, or a mixture of gypsum, mulch and peat moss will break it down so you can get nice soil.Sand provides really good drainage, but unfortunately, can cause extreme under watering and drought conditions for your plants. Make sure to add composted soils, peat moss or coconut coir, triple mix to add moisture retention to your soil.Enriched soils will not remain enriched forever! Add in mushroom compost, sea compost, alfalfa pellets or a triple mix to re-establish your nutrient levels every spring and at the end of the season.

‍

pH and Nutrient Levels in Your Soil

Tests are simple and are inexpensive. This is important to know what needs to be added in the garden with pH adjusters and amending your soil. pH is important because each plant requires specific pH to take up nutrients.If your pH is too high, use aluminum sulphate or fast acting sulfur.If your pH is too low, use dolomitic lime or fast acting lime.Nutrient tests in the soil allow you to be proactive and apply the right compost, manure or slow release fertilizer to your garden. The better balanced nutrient care in your garden, the better the yield for your plants, as well as, the healthier the plants you will have.

Rototill your garden after applying your soil amendments and your compost soils. This loosens up soil after being frozen (generally do this when the ground thaws), and it also spreads your nutrients and soils down to a beneficial depth. If you don't have a large garden, or use a raised bed, there are handheld tillers available.

‍