Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? Let’s uncover what’s hidden beneath the surface, and finally get to the root of things … plant roots, that is, and what makes them prosper.
Recently, a gym pal asked me about the pros and cons of rotating tomato plants in her garden. I knew that the practice of rotating crops is always a pro, but wanted to give her a more complete answer.
The more complete answer is that crop rotation allows a different set of micro-organisms found in the soil to enter plants through plants’ roots and nourish them, rather than keeping plants in the same spot year-after-year and risk depleting plants of valuable minerals and micro-organisms. Well-nourished plants are healthy crop-bearing plants, too (and who doesn’t want that)? Think of it this way: if we humans drew vitamins minerals and vitamins up from the soil through our feet, we’d have to move around to get all our nutritional needs met.
Lucky you, it’s still fall. There’s still time to get out there and boost your soil’s nutritional composition to prepare it for planting nourishing vegetables, shrubs and perennials next year.
It’s not all that tough. All that’s needed is to add a layer of compost and natural mulch and, maybe, sprinkle on some mineral supplements. A soil test is the best way to determine what supplements may be needed (see the Purdue Extension Office for a soil test and analysis). Use minerals like lime, phosphate rock, asomite (a volcanic ash that acts like a multi-vitamin for depleted spoils) and wood ash to raise pH and/or granite dust to add potassium.
Careful, though. You don’t want to do harm, only good, so have the soil tested first before starting to add supplements. If you want an overall good practice that will do no harm, shovel some compost around perennials then rake whole, or leaves that have been broken down through mowing, onto flower beds. Don’t worry about leaves not staying put — keep them watered and they’ll stay put until they start breaking down.
Once you add compost and natural mulch (like leaves or shredded bark with no added dyes), worms and beetles will start to work. When their job is done, a virtual village of microbes living in the soil will take over and — voila! — natural plant food. Other natural mulches include chopped straw and shredded bark. The Bartholomew County Recycling Center is a great source of natural mulch with no added dyes, available for self-serve pick-up. Find compost there, too, if you don’t have your own pile at home.
Now, providing that you already have your yard clean-up done, you’re ready to sit back for a little R&R. Grab a cup of tea or cocoa, plop down in your favorite chair all cozy-warm indoors, and look out over your yard and let the dreams of spring planting dance in your head. It will be time before we know it.
Becky Pinto has been a Master Gardener since 2002 and the Master Gardener newsletter editor since 2005. She’s a Silver Level Master Gardener, based on cumulative volunteer hours served in the program. All opinions expressed are those of the writer. Send comments to therepublic.com.
