Why is soil so important to the gardener? Because it limits the variety of plants that can be grown there. The health of any plant begins in the soil. As a matter of fact, poor soils are one of the most common causes for plant failure. All plants have evolved to perform well in certain types of soil. Cactus, for instance, prefer a soil that drains well. Whereas, aquatic plants prefer a soil that stays moist. Knowing your plants soil requirements will make you a successful gardener.
Silt particles are smaller than sand but larger than clay. It still feels gritty and is powdery when dry and slippery when wet. It is commonly found in flood plains.
The following mixes are suggested for growing foliage plants:
Cornell foliage plant mix:
½ bushel sphagnum peat moss
¼ bushel vermiculite, No. 2
¼ bushel perlite (medium fine)
8 tbsp. ground dolomitic lime
2 tbsp. superphosphate (20% powdered)
3 tbsp. 10-10-10 fertilizer
1 tbsp. iron sulfate
1 tbsp. potassium nitrate
(3 cubic foot bag)
Covers 36 square feet 1" deep
Covers 18 square feet 2" deep
Covers 12 square feet 3" deep
Covers 9 square feet 4" deep
(1.5 cubic foot bag)
Use our handy mulch calculator to determine how much mulch you will need!
Amending Soil Cotton Bur Compost (2 cubic foot bag)
Amending Clay Soil: 4 bags for every 100 square feet (mix in).
New Landscape Beds: Mix 2 bags for every 1 cubic yard of topsoil.
Peat Moss
1- 3.8 cubic foot bale covers 50 square feet 1" deep (mix in).
1 - 3.8 cubic foot bale covers 100 square feet 1/2" deep (mix in).
One square yard = 9 square feet.
One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.