Summer is one of the best times to enjoy our gardens, but there is always work to do to keep them in tiptop shape. One of the perils of hot weather is the drying out of topsoil, which can leave it cracked and stripped of nutrients. This then makes it more difficult to grow anything in the soil as the food plants need to grow is in shorter supply than with a moist and well-watered soil.
It is easy enough to prevent topsoil from drying out though, so here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Deep Watering
It is better to water the topsoil deeply and less frequently rather than more frequent shallow waterings. Most plants with their roots in the topsoil will benefit from this soil management approach and it will help the roots grow stronger and healthier. Use a watering can so the water splays out and doesn’t impact too heavily on any one part of the topsoil, and slowly soak the topsoil for enough time for the water to be absorbed properly.
You can check whether it is time for another deep watering by pressing your finger into the topsoil. Push it in about halfway and if the soil is dry at that level then it needs watering so give the soil a deep soak so the roots of the plants can feast on the water.
Garden Mulching
You can also prevent topsoil from drying out in the summer heat by covering it with a layer of garden mulch. There are some organic materials you can use that you may have around the garden such as leaves and straw, though the best option is usually bark mulch. A layer of bark mulch covering the topsoil will help it retain moisture and moderate the soil’s temperature. The mulch can also prevent water run-off and reduce the amount that evaporates into the air.
Bark chippings as mulch also looks very natural and will slowly degenerate over years to add more nutrients to the topsoil underneath.
Add Water-Absorbing Compost
Compost mixes tend to absorb water much more efficiently than plain old topsoil. The structure of the compost helps it retain a lot of the moisture which plants and flowers can then use during extended dry periods.
Compost also massively boosts the nutrient content of the topsoil to provide all the food growing plants need to thrive. Just mix it in with the first few inches of topsoil that is already there and then pack it down a little to help it settle. There are even different types of compost that are made for growing different plants, so choose the compost that best suits your purposes and give your topsoil a welcome makeover.
If you require a ton of topsoil or other soil management products like garden mulch or compost, then contact Springbridge via our website or call today on 0845 370 1921 for more information.