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Darwin referred to them
as nature’s ploughmen:
worms are essential
for healthy soil – they aerate,
enhance drainage and help
turn organic matter into humus.
Encourage them by regularly adding compost
to your soil – you should certainly make sure
you have them!
Mainly sand and / or silt – feels rough between fingers. Drains and dries out quickly. Local wild vegetation may include gorse & heather.
Needs lots of organic matter to improve water holding and fertility, and mulches to conserve water.
Hungry: needs extra feeding, especially with vegetables and fruit. Liming may also be needed especially for members of the cabbage family. Usually acidic (but do pH test) so ericaceous plants will grow well. BBC supply a list for acid soil
Farmyard Manure, Soil Improver, Plant Food.
Mainly Clay – feels sticky when moist, not crumbly. Dries out slowly (but usually has plenty of nutrients) - can set hard and be difficult to work.
Organic matter to open it up and improve drainage and ease cultivation.
pH neutral unless over chalk / limestone – could be ok for lime hating Ericaceous Plants – test soil first. Liming may be needed for vegetables.
In some gardens action will be required to clear water logging e.g. soak away / drainage ditch.
Soil Improver, Plant Food.
(Ericaceous Compost for lime hating Plants). .
Usually with clay - white lumps of chalk or limestone are visible. Soil may be shallow in which case raised beds should be considered, or apply organic matter.
High pH (limey) – avoid lime-hating Ericaceous Plants: instead grow these in containers or raised beds of ericaceous compost.
It will have moderate fertility so this needs to be improved.
Soil Improver (and Bark Chips if pH reduction is required). Chicken Poo™, Plant Food.
(Ericaceous Compost in raised beds & containers).
Half way between light and heavy – an ideal soil! It is likely to be crumbly and dark – not gritty, slightly sticky when wet.
Usually ok for lime hating plants (but first test pH).
Apply organic matter to maintain fertility and soil structure.
Farmyard Manure, Chicken Poo™, Soil Improver, Plant food.
(Ericaceous Compost for lime hating Plants if pH test is not favourable).
