How does your garden grow?

With Obamamonics in full play, lots of us are on unemployment and facing tough economic times. A garden is one way to reduce those high food bills. Before I get into this article, I must state that I’m not a “Master Gardener” or a “horticulturist.” That being said, I personally don’t think adding “Miracle Grow” or another chemical that gives a great flower; however, produces a fruit that is tasteless and low in nutrients is a good idea.

My Grandpa always said “Son, what you put into your garden is what you get back from your garden.” What he meant by that was if the soil is not full of nutrients your plants will not produce efficiently. Also if you put junk into the soil, that’s what you will eat when you harvest. Lots of folks think gardening is a no brain program, shove the plant into the ground and in six to eight weeks pull it out and voila — food. That will work; however, not very well. Actually, gardening does take a fair amount of thought if you expect great results. As a lover of science I tend to look at things from a different point of view than most folks. I pay attention to chemical makeup of the soil, soil structure, Ph levels, plant structure, etc.

In this series of articles I will discuss soil types and structure, organic fertilizers, planting in pots (patio gardens), planting in tires, raised beds and traditional beds.

Soil types:

There are basically five (5) main types of soil:  these include silt, limestone, clay, sand and peat. Most soils contain a unique combination or blend of minerals and nutrients. Managing various types of soil when you cultivate the garden area is essential if you want to be successful.

Silt –—Silt is when the soil tends to pack down turning the base into a cold, heavy, poorly drained area. Silt has a combination of things in it; e.g. fine sand, crushed vegetation and other deposits. Generally high in nutrients.

Sand — Sand is loose, gritty grains of eroded rock. It has a tendency to warm up fast in the spring and is fairly easy to cultivate.

Clay — Clay is a firm, almost plastic in appearance, soil. Generally fertile with high nutrients; however, hard to work with because of its compaction rate.

Peat — Peat is always dark in color, it has a high level of organic matter and nutrients.

Limestone — Is usually dry and pale in color. Loses its nutrients quickly.

Soil make up — Your planting soil should be friable (crumbly/soft), it should be dark in color, smell earthy and rich. There are multiple techniques to create that which I will discuss in my next article.

One of the outstanding things about gardening is there are a lot of people doing it. All of them have great ideas and tricks that make gardening fun and highly enjoyable especially when you get to eat what you’ve created.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (208-255-2266) or toll free at 1-877-311-NWES. E-mail them to nwees@hughes. net  or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St. , Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do? For information about Ed’s company, go online to www.nwesinc.com..

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the president of  Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, Inc.