If there’s no rain in the forecast and no water in the tank, the best option is to build a compost heap on top of the bed, as in option 3 below.ġ.Stop and start watering makes for better penetration. If soil is so dry, water runs off – scrape shallow drills along it, to help crack the repellent surface.A rainy day is the ultimate for this task, especially if its lovely steady, moisturising rain. Do the same should your soil be sodden.ĭrag the debris off and stash it alongside, then water if that’s what’s needed. Leave any useful up and coming seedlings, or plants in their prime, and work around them. Slash/ cut everything down leaving those all important roots in play. Its easier to moisten dry soil by first clearing the area you want to plant. 3 ways to restore weary soilįirst up – lets bring the moisture. Be constant – that’s what makes the difference. Expect it to be a little tired by Autumn for sure, but not completely knackered. Little by little and over time, these all come together, so that even when it doesn’t rain for months (or it doesn’t stop raining for months), soil stays in good heart. Mowed grass is good too – especially if its a bit longer and has a wonderful diversity – dandelion, plantain, clover etc, growing in it. Long grass is an epic source (homegrown hay!), slash a bunch and gather it up. If you run out of chop n drop supply in the vegie patch, reach out to your foraged stashes or perennials – prune any that need it. Topping mulch up regularly drip feeds soil life and moderates temperature – so important in the heat! Chop and drop is the easiest way to mulch – simply snap off any foliage on offer – ratty stuff from older crops, greencrops, finished crops or any wonderfully rambunctious plant thats taking the place over (borage springs to mind!) Drop the bits you’ve removed, in situ, or wherever mulch is thinning out. OM, organic matter is once again, the answer to all your garden woes. It’s a team effort of grunty homemade compost, little and often watering, planting in guilds and at all times keeping the soil covered with mulch or a living mulch. Keeping soil in good heart is not about litre’s of water, nor loads of fertiliser. In this way you keep it steadily fertile with little contributions here and there. Touch your soil and check for moisture, texture and life. The trick is not what you add or how much, but your constant eye. And needs to be a key focus this month so as its ready to receive hungry winter crops and so as you dont send fertility spiralling backwards. Whether your soil is sodden right now, or bone dry, reviving it follows a similar path.
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