3 Mistakes To Avoid When Deciding On Your Landscaping Soil Supplies
It's important to remember that all landscaping begins with the soil. Without the right kind of soil in place, your plants will be unable to thrive and grow, regardless of how much care you give them. If you're about to start a new landscaping project, here are three mistakes to avoid when deciding on your soil:
1. Soil Supplies Mistake Number 1: Underestimating How Much Soil You Actually Need
Many people think that they can simply go by the square footage of their yard, but this is a mistake. For one thing, some areas will require more than others — hillsides, for example, will require more soil than flat areas. Also, depending on the type of soil you want to use and any other substances or plants you want to add to your soil, you will need a certain depth or thickness of soil in order for it to be effective. If you're installing new planting beds around flower beds, for example, you might want six inches of topsoil for your plant roots to grow in.
2. Soil Supplies Mistake Number 2: Not Testing The PH Levels Of Your Soil
You need to understand the pH level of your soil before you use it for planting or growing anything in it. A simple test kit can help you to determine whether or not you need to add lime or other additives in order to adjust the pH levels in your soil. Your local nursery or landscaping store should be able to provide additional information about this subject for free or for a very small fee.
3. Soil Supplies Mistake Number 3: Using Garden Soil From Your Yard
Whether you're trying to grow a vegetable garden or simply plant some shrubs, using garden soil from your yard is a bad idea. The reason for this is that most garden soils in yards contain weed seeds.
When you use these soils in your beds and planters, you're introducing weeds into areas where they can easily become established. The result will be more weeding work for you later on in the season.
Instead of using garden soil from your yard, go with a more sterile potting mix as a base for your planting beds and containers. If you have clay soil, adding sand and compost will help improve the drainage of the potting mix so roots don't end up drowning when they get too much water.
It's important to think about what kind of conditions your plants need to thrive and select soil based on that. For more information on the best soil supplies for your landscaping needs, chat with a soil supplies professional today.