| Gardening is an art. It takes more than space to | | | | manure. It is a good habit to use sand, wood ash and |
| declare a green thumb. To this end it is imperative to | | | | lime also to improve the quality of the top layer. This is |
| know not only the equipment that helps in the | | | | not actually necessary, but can be done as and when |
| endeavor but also the basics like soil types, fertilizer | | | | required. |
| and of course watering patterns. The resources all | | | | Using testing kits: |
| over the internet and available in real time help you sort | | | | For identifying earth requirements use kits available for |
| the information required and benefit from the right | | | | testing. These testing kits help you to understand that if |
| information. Different types are required for growing | | | | the earth is considered to be more acid it ranks below |
| different types of shrubs and trees. As the | | | | 7 on the PH scale, and if it is above 7 it means that the |
| requirement for different types of plants is different | | | | available earth for gardening is alkaline. Some plants do |
| identifying the various types becomes necessary. | | | | require acidic types, which should be kept in mind while |
| Improving quality: | | | | identifying requirements. Growth of the plants depends |
| While planting a flower bed, one should dig at least two | | | | greatly on the acidity or the earth alkalinity. Specific |
| feet deep while planting the lawn. Besides identifying | | | | amounts of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus is |
| requirements see if there are any lumps in the earth | | | | required by plants to grow. |
| as these should be broken first. Next ash, cinders, sand | | | | It is necessary to know the earth/mud type you have |
| and earth should be spread well at the bottom. The | | | | as these are absorbed directly. To make absorption of |
| top layer needs to be prepared for planting. A layer of | | | | these minerals possible it may be necessary to add |
| good loam like peat moss, leaf mould, humus and | | | | peat or leaf mould to the soil. It helps a great deal to |
| green manure can be used to layer the top. As and | | | | be able to know the earth available for gardening prior |
| when required you can even use ash as well as sand. | | | | to adopting any special treatment or landscaping |
| Lime helps in loosening the earth which can be used | | | | method. The earth is as sensitive as your plants and |
| whenever required. The bottom can be enriched more | | | | that brings on the need for you to be more sensitive to |
| with peat moss, grass clipping, compost as well as | | | | both! |