1 | Soil Preparation

by Francois

OVERVIEW

In this Growing section, we will take you through the process of starting your plants from seed, preparing their growing space, all the way to flowering and everything in between.  Here is a quick list of what we will be covering:

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GOALS / OUTCOMES

  1. Soil Preparation
  2. Learn the basics of seed germination
  3. Grow strong and healthy seedlings
  4. Understand the various aspects of plant growing
  5. Understand the importance of maintenance

LET’S DIVE RIGHT IN!

We ended our Planning section with the assessment of the quality and health of your soil. Now it’s time to take action and we start by improving the soil to ensure optimal plant growth. If you found that the quick soil tests done in your growing space had one or more less than ideal outcomes, here is how you can fix it – by creating a raised bed.

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Raised beds are exactly that, a soil bed that is raised above the level of the soil around it. It is a very easy and essential technique to ensure your seedlings have the correct growing environment in which to thrive! There are a couple of reasons why this is a good way to support plant growth.

  • It creates the necessary space to for easier root growth
  • The loose structure creates more aerated soil
  • Opportunity to incorporate additional components, such as compost
  • It leads to the longer term development of healthy, fertile soil.

Steps to create a raised bed

  1. Start digging into the soil with a fork and loosen it to a depth of 30-50 cm.
  2. Move the top layer of soil on either sides of the bed onto the bed to raise the bed a bit
  3. Remove all the stones and other existing obstacles
  4. Mix in a layer of compost
  5. Rake it to a fine tilth
  6. Water the prepared bed properly

It couldn’t be easier. But if you are unsure of what to do or want to see someone else do it first, why not have a look at our step-by-step video guide on making a raised bed.

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A note on compost

If you are pressed for time and want to get your cutting garden up and running as soon as possible, store bought compost will do just fine. There is however something to be said for home made black gold. Believe us, your plants will thank you and reward you for it! If you want to try your hand at making your own compost, we have you covered. Check out our journal entry on compost for a step-by-step guide with all the expert tips and tricks you will need to make your own.

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A note on mulching

Did you know that organic mulching has the benefit of keeping weeds out of your garden beds while feeding your plants simultaneously? But what is mulching, you might ask? Head over to our journal entry on mulching to decide for yourself whether to mulch or not to mulch.

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Next up we cover Seed Germination Basics!

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