Take Care Of Your Soil

  This should be a no-brainer, but in case it isn't, here are some thoughts on soil that I have.

  A quote here by one of our presidents in the past, “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.” That’s a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt, who clearly knew something most people, including farmers, have since forgotten.

   The key to good gardening is in the soil. Soil provides the environment for the roots to develop and take in the food the plant needs. Most of our soils are depleted from being overused or they are polluted because of the carelessness we as human beings have put on the ground. Because fluoride is put into our water systems, we now have plants that are taking fluoride in and the fluoride is showing up in the fruit. 

  In the olden days, they had it right. Most yards were like small farms. Many had their own chickens and other livestock kinds of animals. When these animals go to the bathroom, so to speak, they make plant food. Because these animals live on or near the soil, the soil was nourished by the waste products from the animals. But today, we are more concerned with aesthetics than we are with nourishment, so, we remain ignorant of how to garden effectively. 

  Building up our soil is a topic we need to be studying, especially as more and more areas become developed in our country. Much of our soil is now under asphalt and cannot be accessed anyway. 

   The environment of the soil will provide a place for microbes to grow, and microbes are necessary for making plant food for in the soil. The soil must also have the proper amount of moisture and the circulation of air is completely necessary for healthy plants to grow. Earthworms provide aeration as well as other critters in the soil. Placing mulch on top of the soil protects it from the sun and from being eroded. It also helps keep moisture in the soil around the plants. 

  So, while we baby our plants and watch them grow, we need the soil to help them to grow big and strong. This does not negate the benefits of hydroponic gardening though, which does not use soil. The plants in a hydroponic garden are not grown in soil, but receive the nourishment they need by the water they get with the supplements in them. Hydroponic plants grow very well, as long as they get enough sun. 

  So, take care of your soil. Feed it, weed it, and let your plants grow in it. Add any natural ingredients that may be lacking. Check the PH also. Some plants require a soil with a lower PH than others. Make adjustments where necessary.