Loamy soil, which is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, is the best kind of soil for producing a healthy garden. It crumbles easily in your hand, and does not have too much clay, which retains moisture and messes with drainage. It is also not too sandy; therefore it provides adequate support for growing plants, and the needed nutrients.



The key to achieving loamy soil is twofold: quality fertilizer and proper water supply.

By testing the soil before you start, you will know what things you need to add to balance it out. A simple testing kit checks nutrient and pH levels. When growing vegetables pH levels are very important because some prefer acidic soil, while others thrive in a more basic setting. In general, most do best when grown in soil that tests between 6.0 and 6.5.

To adjust the pH level sulfur or lime, nutrients found in most fertilizers, should be added. These adjustments should be made several months before you plan on planting, which, in Northern climates, may mean after the fall harvest.

Compost piles are a great source of nutrients, and should be added to the topsoil three weeks before planting. Tilling the compost into the top layer of soil helps to speed up the introduction of the nutrients into the soil. Organic and artificial fertilizers, such as NPK 8-8-8 can be added right before planting to supplement the soil. In general, about twenty pounds per thousand square feet is sufficient.

Vegetable plants love water, however sitting in a bed of water can cause root rot. By maintaining moist soil, plants can receive the proper amount of water they need to grow and support themselves.

Water helps out plants in a number of ways. It aids in the carrying of nutrients throughout the plant, plays a part in the process of photosynthesis, and helps the cell structures to remain stiff and firm. Most gardens need about an inch of water per week, which equates to 65 gallons per 100 square feet. The amount of water, of course, depends on the type of soil. From spring to fall it is vital to monitor the rainfall and supplement any additional water that your plants may need.

This, thankfully, is not difficult.

When water is applied to vegetable plants under moderate temperatures, they do not wilt like flowering plants do; however, it is still necessary to water with care. By watering early in the day the top layer of soil and leaves can dry out by the time cool night temperatures arrive, keeping fungi at bay. Some choose to build modest drip irrigation systems out of rubber tubing. These effect and inexpensive systems should be placed at the base of the plant to ensure the roots are receiving a proper supply of water.

With a drip irrigation system in place, only the occasionally traditional watering is necessary. This serves to clean the leaves and keep their pores open. Watering when it is hot outside is unproductive as it causes the pores to open, and evaporate more moisture then they have been given. Water droplets may also act as miniature magnifying glasses and burn small holes in the leaves.