Good Earth: Building Soil Fertility with Organic Amendments

Garden soil is like a bank account—can't withdraw more than you deposit. Harvesting removes nutrients; amending and mulching replenish them. Organic amendments (compost, rotted manure) rejuvenate poor soil, balance drainage and moisture, and hold nutrients for roots.

Now, before spring planting, is prime time to enrich for robust flowers and vegetables. Most trees, perennials, natives, and groundcovers don't need amendment unless soil is sand or heavy clay—just till and plant.

What to Use & How

Ideal: composted grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings. Mix 2–4″ layer into top 8–12″ with shovel or rented tiller.

New garden on bulldozed/compacted subsoil: Need lots of amendments—maybe fresh topsoil. Hire tractor for large areas.

Established gardens—amend before planting:

• Acid-lovers (blueberries, rhododendrons): peat moss, especially if native pH >6 (test kit).
• Annual flower/vegetable beds: Small tiller speeds work.
• Berry beds (blackberry, raspberry, strawberry): amend before initial planting, then every few years at renovation.
• Lawns: Amend sand/heavy clay with sifted commercial compost before sod.

How Much to Buy

Small pickup: ~1 cu yd (5 wheelbarrows). Large pickup: ~1.5 cu yd. Bulk delivery from landscape suppliers; bagged at nurseries.