We grow a "miracle harvest" even on imperfect soils! Understanding the secrets!
Soil on the site, types and preparation.
The purchase and development of a plot of land begins, as a rule, with the preparation of the soil, which for the most part determines the success of the future harvest. Soil is an amazing natural creation, which is itself a living organism, characterized by individual requirements and behavior. Depending on the climatic zone, each of them has its own set of soils.
The taiga-forest zone or Non-Black Earth Zone is characterized by its location in the north, where a warm and humid climate reigns. Basically, such types of soils are widespread here, such as wet meadow, boggy and boggy, also podzolized. The name of the latter is due to the fact that under the soddy top layer of their structure there is another one, which differs in ash color with quartz dust. Mineral compounds in such soils are most often washed out into the underlying horizon, and this type of soil, unfortunately, is characterized by a lack of nutrients (humus) for plants in an untreated form. The general structure of the soil can be characterized as rather fragile, vulnerable to leaching during precipitation. Please note that if you decide to use this type, you must first reduce the high level of acidity of podzolic soil, otherwise most crops on it simply will not be able to take root. As you know, in this case, the treatment consists of adding lime and ash to the arable layer, which, in addition to eliminating acidity, will also enrich the soil with necessary substances (phosphorus, potassium, calcium) and trace elements. For large areas with a high acidity level, ground limestone with a volume of up to one kilogram, distributed per square meter of area, can be used. Do not get carried away, because organic fertilizers are also necessary for any soil. In the process of fertilizing the lower horizon, you may well deepen the layer of soil where the root system lives.
To accurately determine the type of soil located on your site, you should use special soil maps. It is necessary to consult similar sources and about the liming rates used for a particular volume of podzolic soils in order to eliminate their high level of acidity.
If the soil contains excessive moisture, which can seriously interfere with the high-quality cultivation of plants, it is necessary to organize the drainage of water, both ground and surface with the help of drainage. In this case, you should resort to arranging either a drainage ditch, or more advanced modern drainage systems - it all depends on your desire and decision.
Often, summer residents are faced with soils suffering from waterlogging and waterlogging. The only sure way out is dehumidification. The lack of oxygen, coupled with waterlogging, contributes to the formation of a horizon characterized by the absence of structure and density, the so-called glue. Gley is a serious obstacle and a problem for the subsequent cultivation of plants on such soil, because its acidity level is incredibly high, water permeability is impeded, which completely excludes both seedlings and cultivation of cultivated plants. In such a situation, the solution would be to create at least partial aeration by loosening. Be careful not to overdo it and let the glue settle closer to the soil surface. If you do everything correctly, then even this type of soil can be identified on a par with fertile ones.
The soils located in the steppe zone are favorably located due to the receipt of more and long-term heat from the solar energy. This allows you to collect sometimes even two crops per season, grow a wide variety of crops and not be afraid for their death. This is a peculiar center of vegetation and harvest, especially in the area of chernozem soils, which are the most favorable for plantings. As for the garden plots, it is not always so rosy here - the soils often do not correspond to the given relief, need appropriate processing, and are also brought to a neglected state by the previous owners. Steppe soils, however, are susceptible to wind and water erosion, so you should not rely solely on an advantageous location - each soil needs appropriate maintenance. To prevent a destructive process, especially on a large scale, it is necessary to resort to the help of specialists, land surveyors. Parts of the runoff are retained by dams, cultivate the soil on small slopes, due to which the soil absorbs more of the moisture it needs from precipitation. They also use the transverse method of arranging the beds.
The mode of watering the soil in the garden area should be carried out in accordance with the recommended norms, do not oversaturate the plants with moisture, because this can lead to the approach of groundwater to the upper layer, bringing with it unwanted substances such as, for example, salts. If you want to accelerate the growth of crops and harvesting, then use the fertilization system correctly, but it is better to water it within strictly adjusted limits.
Soil is the main storehouse and source of fertility of plants and crops grown on the site. The soil should be treated with attention and due care, not neglect its whims, prevent the appearance of infections and weeds, all kinds of pests (for example, moles), and also follow all watering recommendations for its content.