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We have hard, clay soil. Knowing that the key to a healthy plant is starting with healthy soil, I used to spend half the day wrenching my back digging huge holes and adding amendment for each plant. Then, I learn about some easier methods of fixing the soil that have long-term results and attract nature's best rototillers, earthworms!
Whether you have sandy soil or clay, regular applications of organic mulch throughout the year will improve your soil and provide continuous, slow-acting, organic fertilizer for your plants. Organic fertilizers are best because the worms like them -- they are "worm food". The worms go to the top of the soil to get the mulch then consume it and excrete it into the soil in the form of humus. You want a lot of humus in your soil -- it is the "black gold" of the garden, the best possible plant food. And as the worms dig to the top to get the mulch, they create tiny "tunnels" that loosen the soil and improve drainage. Mulch can be compost (the best, finished or unfinished), or it can be shredded leaves and grass or plant clippings. Apply it at least 2-3 inches deep around the base of your plants a few times a year starting in spring, then again in summer (to retain moisture and keep the roots cool) and again in fall. Just be sure to keep it away from the main stem of the plant because constant contact with wet mulch could cause the stem to rot. With regular applications of organic mulch, you should not need to use additional fertilizers because the plants will get all they need in the soil. And, eventually, you will see a vast improvement in the quality of your soil.
That's it in a nutshell. If you want to read more about organic mulch and organic gardening in general, be sure to read the very interesting short articles at these web sites:
No, don't throw your left-over lasagna out in the garden. Just spread layers of organic matter on the soil, keep it moist, wait... and let the worms do the digging for you. This works, it really works! We used this method a few years ago to convert an area of grass into a new garden. Early one spring, we placed several inches (at least) of organic matter including wet newspapers, cardboard, compost, leaves, etc. over the grass, wet it down, kept it moist, then waited. In the fall, when it came time for planting, all the organic matter had decomposed and the soil was dark and crumbly. Each handful of soil was literally full of worms! No digging except to remove enough soil for the rootball, no back-breaking work. The key is to keep the layers moist and allow enough time for them to break down. This method is discussed further in the book and web site by the same name, Lasagna Gardening.
Lots more information is available in greater detail in the following books and web sites:
Books:
Web Sites:
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