Plan it earth
of compost and are easy to spot. In addition to garden centres, farmyard manure is often found bagged up and available at very reasonable prices at entrances to farms and stables. It is well-rotted and smell-free, so don’t be put off, it is marvellous for your plants.
The process is simple. Dump your organic matter of choice in a heap on top of your freshly cultivated soil, use a rake to spread it evenly across your border and then dig in.
You want to spread it to a depth of about 12cm, which is about a wheelbarrow’s worth of organic matter for every square metre of soil. Digging it in will be easier now, since you’ve already loosened the soil cultivating it.
STEP 3: FEED
The next step is to feed with fertiliser to put nutrients vital for healthy plant growth directly into the soil.
You can get fertilisers for specific plant varieties, which you might opt for if you’re planning to grow an entire bed of the same plant type. However, you can’t go wrong with a general purpose NPK 7+7+7 fertiliser.
This is a fertiliser that contains equal parts of nitrogen for healthy foliage and stem growth, phosphorous for the development of strong roots, and potassium for the production of quality flowers and fruits.
To incorporate fertiliser, simply sprinkle the amount recommended on the label over the surface of your soil like chicken feed and dig in. To finish, dress your soil with a thick layer (5cm-7cm) of mulch.
Bark chippings or composted bark will look great, protect plant roots from temperature fluctuations, and further support those all-important micro-organisms in the soil. A winner all round.
Take these steps to improve your soil this winter and your plants will be showing the benefits all season long.
Get digging!