This guide is going to show you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The different types of soil<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The reason why your soil is soft<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to firm up your soil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What Is Your Ground Made up of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are few places on earth with perfect soil conditions, and it is like winning a scratch card if your soil ticks all the boxes. Soils come in a range of densities, nutrient levels, and drainage rates, which can give you either hard or spongy soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hard soils that offer excellent drainage are often dry and lack the nutrients that vegetation needs to thrive. Soft soils will give you perfect levels of pH, but they may have problems draining excess water and can go boggy in rains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are the most common soil types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clay Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The fine particles of silts that make up clay are an excellent source of nutrients for grass, tree, and other plants. Clay sits within a pH of 5.5 to 7.0, which is perfect for grass, delicate flowers, and fruit-bearing plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest problem with clay is that it is so compact and muddy when wet that it forces most of the air out, depriving the roots of oxygen. And when clay dries out in the summer, it can be so dense that roots struggle to break through and get enough nutrients and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sandy Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The roots of plants tend to prefer soil with good drainage, but this can mean supplying a lot more water. Sandy soil is a mix of small- to medium-sized grains of rock and mulch, which creates plenty of air cavities for the roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The loose structure of sandy soil makes it easy for roots of both large and small plants to grow through. Irrigation will wash nutrients straight through sandy soils, so you will need to keep adding fertilizer. And sandy soils tend to sink after heavy rainfall and can develop dips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peat Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Peat is a natural product, dug up from beneath growing moss, with few developing microorganisms. Compost is decomposing organic matter that anyone can manufacture to whatever pH level is necessary using a dual chamber tumbling composter
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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPeat and compost have low densities and feel squishy in texture. They will crumble apart in your hands and feel spongy underfoot. Peat and compost soils have trouble holding on to water and dry out in the summer, making the ground even softer and less stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stoney Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many gardeners will add stones to the soil to improve drainage. Stones prevent compaction and help hold in pockets of air for the benefit of root systems. Porous stones will also soak up water and slow-release it, rather than letting it all drain away, which is good for sandy and peat soils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Limestone will neutralize soil acidity, which can be a good thing in clay soils with high pH levels. The main issue with stones is the appearance, and if you are trying to cultivate a flower bed, small stones and rocks can make it look untidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Causes Soft Soil?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You need to start by looking at what the issue is and then consider if it is bad enough to call for action. Drainage and aeration are semi-linked and simple to remedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n