Use this quick, simple test before planting or sowing, to check that the soil you wish to plant into, is up to the task.
Based on your assessment, you may well change your planting plan. Lets say you were planning to plant pumpkin, but your test reveals that the soil’s dry and musty. Because pumpkin is a hungry feeder, you’ll either need to amend the soil, ie: rehydrate it first, then pile on loads of compost, OR you could find a more nourishing spot that only needs a small amount of compost added.
The dry musty soil you originally planned on planting into, would better suit growing a light feeder, like beans or salads where only a small amount of compost is needed, or – if you have room, give it a rest + repair by sowing a greencrop or building an easy peasy, restorative compost on the spot.
Let your soil lead the way in all your planting and sowing decisions. You’ll use heaps less compost, your crops will flourish and you’ll keep fertility steady.
This mini DIY soil test, is exactly the same as your test for moisture + a few add on’s.
Scoop up a handful of soil.
Should your soil be under par anyway, add homemade compost or vermicastings and saturate with a biological feed before planting.
Soil is so forgiving, given the right prompts it repairs beautifully. Keep building it in tandem with creating your awesome garden set up, and one fine day – it’ll all come together.