– by Stephan Cranz, Peninsula Landscape Supplies –
Living on an island has lots of benefits as well as some draw backs. One draw back of living on a rock is that we have to create our own soils. Soils on the Peninsula are usually low in Nitrogen, slightly high in Phosphorus, below average in Potassium, slightly acidic and usually clay based.
In order to bring our native soil up to a level that will promote optimum plant growth it is necessary to create soils. We create soils by using several recipes incorporating a variety of products to provide soils for various uses. Soil recipes usually include but are not limited to the following products:
• Indigenous soil
• Sand
• Composted organic matter
• Organic fill
The ratios of these additions are based on expertise, soil analysis and the intended use of the final product. Suppliers will adjust for the three major elements N, P, K as well as pH (acidity or alkalinity) and drainage.
We recommend the consumer shop the market place. Grab a handful of soil, feel its texture, smell it! Properly prepared soils should not have an offensive odour! Check for debris that won’t decompose (like plastics, drywall, and asphalt). The consumer should also ask themselves “how are these soils being stored?” Ideally bulk soil materials should be stored under shelter. Keeping materials under cover reduces leaching of nutrients from rainfall. Covered storage facilities also reduce the incidence of weed seeds contaminating soil products.
It can be difficult to create the proper soil for all types of planting when done in bulk. Therefore mixes can be created for specific needs or uses. For example you may wish to increase the Nitrogen content in a lawn mix. This can be accomplished by the addition of Milorganite (a pellet form of organic fertilizer that is also high in Iron).
This article is meant to inform the consumer about some of the soils that are available on the island. This information should provide you with some knowledge in regards to soil types and how they are created. You will now be better prepared to make an informed choice when shopping at your local landscape supply yard.
For more information visit www.peninsulalandscapesupplies.com
