When you want to make sure your landscaping efforts are a success, finding the right soil is important. But with so many different types on the market, how are you meant to find the right one? With a few simple pointers, you can choose the right soil supplies for excellent garden growth.
Sandy Soil for Draining
If you're looking to produce vegetable crops, you'll need soil that's good for draining. Well-draining soil prevents water from gathering and causing decay through the plant but retains it long enough for plants to get nutrition. Sandy soil is usually acidic, so it's also good for plants that thrive in acid conditions. Its benefits can make it particularly useful for generating early vegetable crops and for growing hardy perennial plants that don't require much input. As such, if you're trying to create a wildflower bed then aim for soil that's sandy.
Clay Soil for Water Retention
In contrast, clay soil is excellent for water retention. Gardeners love to use it as the spring arrives, as warmer weather and less rainfall mean that some plants can suffer from dehydration. It's also rich in nutrients, giving certain plants a chance to flourish. If you're a keen vegetable gardener and want to grow cabbage, lettuce, and beans, clay soil is the way forward. Such vegetables benefit from the firm root anchorage that clay soil offers.
Peat Soil as a Catch-All Solution
If you're looking for soil supplies that are easy to work with and can benefit most plants, try peat. It buffers surrounding soils nicely, which means they're less likely to eat away at any nutrients your plants could benefit from. It also works well alongside clay, as it loosens it and prevents water from logging there. If you're looking for topsoil that will prove useful for promoting greener grass growth, peat is worth your time.
Loam Soil for New Turf
If your landscaping efforts involve laying new turf, loam soil is the way forward. Adding a 15-centimetre layer of loam soil to the top of your garden's natural soil makes it easier for the turf to take root and thrive as time goes on. As a result, you'll be less likely to experience patches where the turf dies off or struggles to gain nutrients. Loom soil is also handy when you're creating raised beds that you want to thrive.
If you're ever unsure as to which types of soil you need, always consult with a professional.