Good soil is always a starting point for good plants, but if yours is poor, there are some basic steps you can take to improve matters.
- To break up compacted heavy ground, dig it well and add plenty of organic material
- Well-rotted animal manure, mushroom or garden compost are all ideal but never use peat as its production is responsible for the destruction of peat bogs
- Local stables can often be a good source of manure
- If your soil is not compacted, it's just as effective to spread compost as mulch on the surface of the ground - and let worms and weather work it into the topsoil!
- Remember that some plants, especially many wild flowers - like Foxgloves, Buddleia and Poppies - actually flower better in poor soil and therefore won't thrive in enriched ground
Related information:
Soil Association: Soil and Compost
Useful information about soil management from the Soil Association
Defra: Environment - Soil
Comprehensive information about soil from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
