WHAT IS SOIL?

Soil is made up of inorganic minerals (eroded rocks), organic materials (decomposing leaves) and living organisms (as diverse as earthworms and bacteria).

KINDS OF SOIL

There are many but they can be classified fairly well into three groups. Soil usually contains all three parts, but is named for highest percentage.

* Sandy has more sand than any other ingredient, but also loam and clay. Add organic materials every year.

* Loam the ""best"" soils to have. These are delightfully balanced components of sand, clay and organic materials. Add organic materials every year.

* Clay has more clay than other ingredients, but also contains some sand and loam. Add organic materials every year.

Please! Do not add anything unless you’ve tested your soil and know what is required. Have a soil test done (through your county extension service, inexpensive) every year, or do it yourself. Follow directions to take several samples throughout lawn or garden area and place in separate containers. Test results tell you which amendments (fertilizer, lime, etc.) are needed, if any, and exactly how much to apply.

ABOUT THE FERRY-MORSE SOIL TEST KIT

The Ferry-Morse Garden HelpLine gets A LOT of calls with questions about our test kit. Here is a quick summary of the information you need to know about this test.

* The test contains 4 test tubes and four reagents, (pronounced ree-A-gents) which allow you to make four tests at one time, measuring these four aspects of your soil: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and your soil's pH (acid-alkaline balance).

* Many times the solution is clear inside the test tube after the test is performed. This usually means you are very low in the element N, P, or K, whichever you are testing for. You should therefore add some of the element that is low.

* The card in the test kit gives specific amounts of nutrient in ounces per 100 square feet, based on your test results, for specific types of plants. Please consult this information carefully.

* The easiest way to fertilize is to use a balanced fertilizer which contains all THREE elements, and not worry too much about the exact number of ounces of fertilizer you are adding per 100 sq. ft. Just follow the directions on the fertilizer label for best results.

* The fourth test, for pH, will tell you about where your soil falls on the pH scale. If adjustment is required, the back of the soil test kit will tell you WHAT to apply and HOW MUCH for each .05 change for your soil type. Click here to order the soil test kit.

If this sounds very difficult for you, don't worry about making any adjustments. Just grow your seeds.

SOIL ACIDITY AND pH

WHAT IS pH?

""pH"" is a measurement of the soil’s acidity or alkalinity, on a scale that runs from about 4.0 (extremely acid) up to about 9.0 (extremely alkaline). The ""ideal"" garden soil falls somewhere between 6.0 and 7.0. Soil pH has its origins in the type of rock the soil is made up of, and varies over the continental U.S., from more alkaline in West to more acid in East. pH affects plant growth. You need to know your soil's pH in case it needs to be adjusted. Not many plants thrive in either extreme. If a crop required a certain pH, it will be mentioned on the seed packet. Most Ferry-Morse seed items do not require strict soil measurements.

HOW IS SOIL PREPARED?

* Loosen and turn over the soil.

* Break it into smaller clods.

* Remove rocks and stones.

* Add fertilizer and soil conditioners if needed.

WHY DO I NEED TO PREPARE MY SOIL?

* To change it into a lighter, finer texture

* To help add air spaces and water to move through

* To provide the best opportunity for seed, bulb or plant to grow well.

HOW TO CARE FOR GARDEN SOIL

* Don’t walk on freshly turned soil (this compresses air spaces which roots need for healthy growth)

* Don’t walk through the growing garden unless you must; then use paths in the garden

* Don’t drive your car across the lawn

* Mulch around plants to prevent soil erosion

* Take yearly soil tests to determine whether soil needs fertilizer and what its pH is.

WHAT IS ""STERILIZED POTTING SOIL""?

It's a mixture used for planting which is ""soil-less"" (has no actual garden soil). It's made of peat moss and inert materials (such as perlite or vermiculite). It is sterile (free of soil diseases or insects).

WHY SHOULD I USE ""STERILIZED POTTING SOIL""?

It's free from soil diseases or insects, provides the perfect environment for seeds to germinate and grow healthy. For container plants, excellent because light in weight and provides excellent drainage (crucial to health of potted plants).

WHERE CAN I BUY ""STERILIZED POTTING SOIL""?

Ferry-Morse's catalog lists Jiffy Mix, one of the first such products and still one of the best. Many suitable mixtures are available at your local garden center. Please read the labels before you buy.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO STERILIZE SOIL?

Heat to a temperature to kill soil organisms (difficult to do and stinky if you use the kitchen oven, but great for small batches and most home gardeners) or use a chemical soil drench (very toxic and now restricted to commercial use).

WHAT IS ""STERILIZED POTTING SOIL""?

It's a mixture used for planting which is ""soil-less"" (has no actual garden soil). It's made of peat moss and inert materials (such as perlite or vermiculite). It is sterile (free of soil diseases or insects).

WHY SHOULD I USE ""STERILIZED POTTING SOIL""?

It's free from soil diseases or insects, provides the perfect environment for seeds to germinate and grow healthy. For container plants, excellent because light in weight and provides excellent drainage (crucial to health of potted plants).

WHERE CAN I BUY ""STERILIZED POTTING SOIL""?

Ferry-Morse's catalog lists Jiffy Mix, one of the first such products and still one of the best. Many suitable mixtures are available at your local garden center. Please read the labels before you buy.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO STERILIZE SOIL?

Heat to a temperature to kill soil organisms (difficult to do and stinky if you use the kitchen oven, but great for small batches and most home gardeners) or use a chemical soil drench (very toxic and now restricted to commercial use).

ON SEEDLINGS

A fungus known as ""damping off"" present in most soils can attack seedlings before or just after they have emerged. It’s worse in damp, cool weather. For early crops: put a pinch of fungicide powder in seed packet, shake up, plant. To replant, scratch up soil, add a little fungicide dust to soil, and replant seed. Or add sterilized potting mixture to top of soil in row, replant. Or start early crops indoors in sterilized potting mixture.

ON MATURE PLANTS SUCH AS TOMATOES

Fungus organisms and bacteria present in most soils can attack a growing plant at various stages. Fusarium Wilt and Verticillium Wilt live in the soil, sometimes for generations, and can hinder plant growth and production in varying degrees. Some plants can tolerate a soil disease and still grow and produce, though perhaps not as well as they would if grown elsewhere. There is no control but there are some steps you can take.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOIL DESEASE PROBLEMS

Grow tomatoes which are tolerant or resistant to these diseases (marked ""V"", ""F"" or ""VF"" after the variety name). Rotate your crops so that tomatoes (and tomato relatives eggplant, pepper and potato) are grown in a different place for three consecutive years. grow in raised beds or in large containers with replacement soil.

WHAT IS MULCH?

Mulch is a soil covering good for your garden plants. To mulch means to add a layer of material to the soil surface to keep weed seeds from germinating, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion.

KINDS OF MULCH

ORGANIC MULCH:

Includes peat moss, shredded bark, bark chips, shredded newspapers, paper mulch, salt hay, lawn clippings, composted manure or garden refuse. If using an organic mulch, apply a layer 2 to 4 inches deep. You’ll have to keep adding it, since compost continues to break down and decompose (sometimes quite rapidly).

INORGANIC MULCH:

Plastic film, pebbles or decorative rock. If using a plastic film (some are perforated so water can drip through, most break down after about a season), roll it out over prepared garden soil, and anchor. Plant right through the mulch, cutting small holes where needed.

WHAT IS FERTILIZER?

Fertilizer is a material which provides nutrients to plant roots in a form that the roots can use.

WHAT IS ORGANIC FERTILIZER?

Organic fertilizer originates from a ""natural"" source, such as composted plant material or composted animal waste. It is usually lower in percent of nutrients. It also adds humus to the soil.

WHAT IS CHEMICAL FERTILIZER?

A chemical fertilizer is a manufactured product, compounded of various nutrients in a base material which allows spreading. Plant roots use a chemical compound in solution which is taken up from the soil particles. Plants don’t care about the origin (chemical or organic) of the nutrients they use.

WHAT IS A COMPLETE OR BALANCED FERTILIZER?

A complete (also called ""balanced"") fertilizer contains all three essential plant nutrients: Nitrogen (N *), Phosphorus (P *), and Potassium or potash (K *). N, P and K are required most heavily and used up more quickly. Other nutrients needed are usually present in soil. (*Chemical symbol of the nutrient)

WHAT DOES 10-10-10 MEAN?

This is the formula (see fertilizer container). The fertilizer contains 10% usable nitrogen, 10% usable phosphorus and 10% usable potash. The rest of the ingredients are inert (non-acting) materials to help you distribute the fertilizer.

WHAT FERTILIZER SHOULD I USE?

Use a complete fertilizer (one which contains N, P and K). Or use compost made up of several different materials.

WHEN AND HOW MUCH FERTILIZER SHOULD I USE?

Have a soil test done by your county extension office (or do one yourself). The results will tell you IF any nutrients are needed, and HOW MUCH. It's better NOT to apply fertilizer than to add too much. Too much fertilizer can kill plants. Click here for fertilizer products.

WHAT IS COMPOST?

Compost, also known as humus, is a partly or fully decomposed (composted) mixture of various organic matter. Compost often is referred to by gardeners as ""black gold."" Fully decomposed compost is the best soil additive you can use. Compost adds humus to your soil, which is the key ingredient in healthy plant growth and production.

HOW DO I MAKE COMPOST?

Make a compost pile if your neighborhood doesn’t have a rule against doing so, or buy a composter bin (which accelerates the process and looks less messy). Make 4-inch layers of various materials which are shredded or chopped, such as leaves or grass clippings, alternating with light layers (about 2-3 inches) of soil, ground limestone and fertilizer. If the organic material is mostly manure (cow or horse; DON’T USE MANURE FROM HOUSEHOLD PETS), you can skip the limestone and fertilizer. The pile can be 5 to 6 feet tall. Keep turning it and keep the material moist for best results. It is ready to use when the texture is fine and the temperature is cool.

WHAT IS COMPOST?

Compost, also known as humus, is a partly or fully decomposed (composted) mixture of various organic matter. Compost often is referred to by gardeners as ""black gold."" Fully decomposed compost is the best soil additive you can use. Compost adds humus to your soil, which is the key ingredient in healthy plant growth and production.

HOW DO I MAKE COMPOST?

Make a compost pile if your neighborhood doesn’t have a rule against doing so, or buy a composter bin (which accelerates the process and looks less messy). Make 4-inch layers of various materials which are shredded or chopped, such as leaves or grass clippings, alternating with light layers (about 2-3 inches) of soil, ground limestone and fertilizer. If the organic material is mostly manure (cow or horse; DON’T USE MANURE FROM HOUSEHOLD PETS), you can skip the limestone and fertilizer. The pile can be 5 to 6 feet tall. Keep turning it and keep the material moist for best results. It is ready to use when the texture is fine and the temperature is cool.