Soil, First!
I always ask people what comes to mind when they think of gardening.The end result – the vegetables, or the flowers – are always what they mention. And that’s not wrong… why bother to garden if we can’t look forward to a bountiful harvest? But I always encourage people to first think “soil.” Soil is the foundation of your garden, and your vegetables and your garden will only be as healthy as your soil. My passion is building soil, and although I’m mainly a vegetable gardener, the same principles hold true for flower gardening.
A garden with poor soil may produce fruit, but that fruit can’t possibly contain the nutrients, or taste as good, as fruit grown in soil that has provided all that is needed for its health. And plants grown in healthy soil have less problems with disease and pests.
For the rest of my post on building a garden that builds soil, go to Happenings Magazine where I’m honored to be a guest blogger.
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil. You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to buy now.
Other Recommended Resources:
Healthy Soils for Sustainable Gardens
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Nancy says
Thanks for the information you share. I do have a question about Bermuda grass. (If you would want to call it grass.) Our yard is filled with Bermuda grass and works it’s way into the garden making it very difficult to weed and grow decent plants. The garden is slightly raised but still gets the grass.
Any suggestions about getting rid of the grass?
Thanks.
Susan says
Bermuda grass can certainly be difficult, Nancy. When you’re building a new lasagna bed, I would lay an extra thick layer of newspaper down, or better yet put down at least 2 layers of cardboard making sure to overlap where pieces meet. In your existing beds, I would weed, and then mulch, mulch, mulch, using paper or cardboard as the first layer. Hope it helps.
Kristel from Healthy Frugalista says
I’ve always read not to put animal products in the compost pile. I’ve started disposing of bones in the compost after I’ve used them for broth and I’ve never been sure if this is an ok practice. When I read that you use bone meal on your lasagna beds I’m thinking it’s my bones are ok. What do you think?
Susan says
Kristel, the main reason they say not to use animal products is because it can attract animals. But I do exactly what you do. Bones from broth making go into my compost bin. They are usually already crumbly and are a great source of minerals.