|
Changing the characteristics of the soil |
 |
 |
 |
|
Below is a chart of soil types and the ways you can change them:
| SOIL TYPE | GOOD POINTS | BAD POINTS | TO IMPROVE | HOW? |
| STONY |
Easy to work in wet months, has good drainage. |
Tends to dry out. |
Dig out stones and dig in soil improves. |
Organic matter. Fertiliser. |
| PEAT |
Easy to work with all year round. |
Very acidic. Drains poorly. |
Improve the drainage and add lime. |
Garden lime. |
| CHALK |
Suitable for some plants. |
Very alkaline. |
Dig in organic matter & fertilisers. |
Organic matter. Fertiliser. |
| SAND & DERIVATIVES |
Free draining. |
Low in nutrients. |
Dig in farmyard manure and add fertilisers. |
Organic matter. Fertiliser. |
| LOAM & DERIVATIVES |
High in nutrients. Holds water well and is easily worked |
No real bad points. Check pH for plant suitability. |
|
|
| CLAY & DERIVATIVES |
Contains nutrients but these tend to be suspended. |
Hard to work. Suffers from poor drainage. |
Drainage is needed. Use chemicals to break it down. |
Organic matter. Sharp sand. Mineral gypsum. |
|
