Amendment of Soil

I have a few raised garden beds that I've grown veggies in, but now going into winter most has died off. Before going into winter, I'd like to amend the soil. I have a soil testing kit that I need to send off, or is there a better way to DIY testing my soil? I need to know what is deficient to know what to amend with.

Hi Caitlin and welcome to permies!

I'm inclined to think if your soil grew good veggies this year and you top up with organic mulch or compost, then you'll be good to go next year! I top up my garden beds with bracken stalks and seaweed (both are easy and local for me) with a top dressing of my own compost in the spring. My soil is pretty acidic, but I'm hoping that it will improve slowly over time....

You may find these threads of interest:
https://permies.com/t/87348/Examination-Accepted-Soil-Testing-Proceedures
https://permies.com/t/90946/test-soil-store-bought-kits
https://permies.com/t/69522/amend-amend-soil

Welcome to Permies!

I personally believe that getting a soil test to understand the base-line soil properties you are working with can be an incredibly valuable thing but I have started to transition into 'reading' my plants and adjusting from there.

For example, if I have established garden beds that have successfully bore veg my one-stop shop amendment that I use is a yearly addition of compost. I will grow my plants and if I start noticing leaf yellowing, droopiness, or stunted growth then I might start looking at the situation a bit harder. Sometimes they could use a good dose of compost tea to perk them up or perhaps there is a creepy crawly that is causing an issue. I haven't run into an issue yet that I couldn't identify and correct through observation and conversation with fellow permaculture enthusiasts.

If you want to identify how your soil composition is looking, I would highly recommend a low-cost Mason Jar Test which can be done rather quickly.

Is this a newly establish garden? What style garden are you working with?

I originally started with raised beds but I have now been expanding into deep mulch gardening right on the ground.

I think of sending a soil sample off to the state lab and parsing the results as a kind of optional hobby. There's no harm if it seems cool and you think it'll be actionable. But I haven't done that because I know I'm not going to import bags of exotic minerals to correct whatever shortcomings they cite. Like Nancy and Tim, I'd recommend just getting as much organic matter as possible into your soil. Keep roots in the soil as much as you can, dig and turn it as little as possible, and mulch with whatever you have. (On the other hand, I've had two bad years in a row in my garden, so what do I know? :-) )

Hi Caitlin,
Welcome to Permies!

I like to get a soil test when I first start a new plot. This gives me a sense of what is in the soil and what is currently available. I also have added amendments when needed. I always use organic options.

Having said that... as I learn more about soil, I find that even though there is ample supply of a particular mineral... it does not always mean it is available. There are trillions of interactions happening with microbes in the soil and with the roots of plants that allow these minerals to be available and used. So while I still do a soil test, and I still use amendments... I also focus on increasing the life in the soil, so that the plants can get access to as many things as they need or want.

Hi Caitlyn, and welcome to Permies!!


I will break my response into three categories and then you can decide what you think is the best thing to do.  And you can definitely mix & match.


Options #1   Buy some organic amendments.  My suggestions are:
Rock phosphate (for long, slow release phosphorus)
Greensand (Long, slow release of potassium)
Bonemeal  (another great source of phosphorus)


Options #2  Pile on the organic matter
LEAVES!!  One of the very best
Pine needles--if dry, they are harmless
Grass clippings
Seaweed/kelp--I would be jealous if you could find some!  
Wood chips (just lay them on top, don't dig in)

Option #3  Get a cover crop going!!  This is probably the best option if you can do it!  Options include:
Rye, oats, Winter Wheat
Austrian Winter Peas
Clover (careful with this one--it is a perennial)
Daikon radish
The goal is to keep something growing to feed soil microbes

As I said, you can do all or some of these and certainly mix & match



Good luck and let us know if you need any further elaboration



Eric

You say you have the soil test so go ahead and send it in. You might learn something useful.

All of these suggestions are great. The two things I will always add if not already in the soil are some biochar and some paramagnetic basalt or granite rock dust. These are one time additions.

Mulch, mulch and more mulch. Next growing season sit down and look closely at your soil under the mulch. You want to be seeing a huge amount of life. Including springtails, soil mites, composting worms, rove beetles etc. etc.

Les is absolutely correct about both the compost and the biochar.  And if you can get the two to mix together for a little bit before placing on the soil/garden bed, that would be even better.  One of the best ways to use biochar is to add it directly to a pile of compost.  All of the soil microbes will inhabit the little spaces, bring in the soil goodies, and bring in some water to boot.  The microbes, goodies, and water will be available to the rest of the soil/garden bed/crops, but in a sort of slow release form.  One of the nice things about composted biochar is that it retains nutrients that might otherwise get lost--nitrogen is particularly easy to waft right out of the soil.  

Eric

Here is a simple DIY test kit you can buy at Home Depot.

I'm learning more and more about the microscopic critters in the soil and how, if you feed them composted stuff and keep the soil moist, the critters, bacteria, fungi, ect. will draw in the needs of the plants and the plants gift them with their sugars and such.

If you want to get a general pH of your soil, you can stir 1 part of soil into 2 parts of the water that you use on the garden, and let it set and settle. Then pour of the water and blend the water up with some purple cabbage leaves. If the water turns reddish it's on the acid side and if it turns more blue, it's on the alkaline side.

You might want to practice holding the soil in your hand and be curious about what all's in there. Squeeze it in your hand. Does it hold together? Smell the scent of it. Does it smell sweet and clean, does it smell barren, is it sour? Taste a little, The humic acid is beneficial and also gives you clues about your garden space. Sit on and lie down in it and just rest and notice your land space. When you do these things, as you do your testing and enhancing, you'll learn to feel what the earth needs. And maybe adore your space, it gives so much with little appreciation back.

I've read in 'The Ringing Cedars' series that if you share your saliva, sweat, and touch, with seeds and plants that they, then get to program to your needs. Just like nursing mothers milk is engineered to the saliva exchange from the nursing child.

I know, I know, some of this is a bit "out there" but, what magic it adds to life! And why not? And what if? It's good to open up and just pretend play.

Charolett Knapic wrote:If you want to get a general pH of your soil, you can stir 1 part of soil into 2 parts of the water that you use on the garden, and let it set and settle. Then pour of the water and blend the water up with some purple cabbage leaves. If the water turns reddish it's on the acid side and if it turns more blue, it's on the alkaline side.

I've done this and it really does work, although I'm never sure if it is better to use distilled water...


source

More information on permies thread on soil pH

I've read in 'The Ringing Cedars' series that if you share your saliva, sweat, and touch, with seeds and plants that they, then get to program to your needs.

That's interesting and wouldn't surprise me - I believe seeds carry bacteria related to their environment, so they get a head start if you save your own seeds. The more you share with them, the more they will be primed for your body to digest perhaps....