Preparation for a Successful Garden
The Great Basin Desert is ancient and certain plants have evolved to be quite at home in dry, salty, alkaline soils low in organic, carbon rich materials. But, as much as we love Big Sage and Rabbit Brush, there are other plants we want to grow, including plants we intend to eat. Often, gardeners new to our area come to us horrified by the results of their first attempts at gardening in the high desert climate and terrain. A first question we ask is: "What did you do to prepare the soil?" Because, without a dedicated effort to transform the soil only plants that love alkaline soils will succeed. This isn't a daunting task. It's what we call "The Necessary Groundwork" and there's time! March opens here usually with snow still threatening, but this month offers us the opportunity to add and replenish much needed organic matter to the soil. Adding the right compost helps destabilize and dilute the static conditions of your soil. It helps the soil breath. It helps the soil hold moisture while improving its ability to drain at the proper rate. It will also add necessary nutrients and help balance and evenly disperse the mineral concentrations. Come in and talk to us about our time tested composting techniques that will help prepare your soil for the warm and dry weather ahead. You'll see the difference, definitely. Once the necessary groundwork is complete, come summer, your plants will love you for it!