The interface between soil and roots is the source of plant health. Poor soil conditions discourage a living environment. If the existing soil is terrible or gardening is planned for an area, we need to work the soil. We prepare two types of soil, "Landscape Soil" or we will "Build Garden Soil".

Landscape Soil is for shrubs and trees that will not move.  In these beds the existing soil is ammended.  We choose plant types that will grow well in this type of soil.  When they are properly installed with a finish coat of mulch a they can grow to reach their potential as a beautiful landscape.  Gardens are more intensive and need plenty of living, balanced, garden soil which remains easy to work over time. Producing these conditons now make it easy to change and update the garden later. 

The first step in soil building is to study.  As New England soils tend to be acidic, a (ph Test) is done to determine if it is within the 6.2 to 7.0 ph range, where nutrients are most available to the roots. Earthworms serve as a good barometer for healthy soil, the more the better.  Soggy ground tends to become compact and compact soil will shed water as well as preventing oxygen and fertilizer from reaching the roots.  The opposite situation occurs where soil is too granular allowing water to flow through quickly parching the plants.  Of course rocks and roots have to be removed.

Tilling and cleaning make the soil easy to work by hand.  Ingredients including compost, lime stone, bloodmeal, bonemeal and baterial inoculant add to the recipe.  Living organisms from earthworms, soil fungi and bacteria all have a roll in feeding plants and each type does its part to transform the organic particles into nutrients for plants.  When finished a garden soil will have a granular texture to allow water to easily pass through it without getting too soggy.  The result along with some followup gardening excercise is a flourishing garden.