Found an issue of Weed World that is dedicated to outdoor growing. They have an article about soil. Here's some stuff they say in it. It's helped me and it could help some other growers out there too.
Improving Your Soil and Its Texture
So many growers overlook the need for a good texture within their soil. It's important for a variety of reasons - firstly it's the supporting frame for your plant's roots and secondly its texture is indicative of what is absorbed and what is allowed to freely drain.
There is a wealth of soil improvers out there... and the one you choose will depend upon where you've chosen the plant.
Humus - is the partially decomposed matter that is full of micro-organisms, plus there are millions of bactera and other organisms in a single handful of earth, which break down leaves, dead roots and insects and transforms the organic matter into nutrients for your plants. Without humus, soil is essentially finely ground rock. It also promotes good air flow through the soil thus improving soil texture tremendously. It also makes light soils more moisure retentive and heavy soil more workable. The humus balance is largely unchallenged in uncultivated soil, but remembering that planting makes huge demands on the humus content and this does need maintaining.
Organic Soil Improvers
Organic options include leaf mould, well-rotted farm manure, garden compost, peat, composted shredded bark and seaweed. All improve moisure retention and soil aeration and contain valuable nutrients and also stimulate the bacterial activity, which turns organic material into accessible food for your plants. Generally, matured organic matter is used since raw humus makers can damage plants: fresh manure emits ammonia and can burn plants; fresh leaves and straw increase bacterial activity, robbing the soil of nitrogen. Raw matter is best used before planting, or in areas well away from the plants and its root system.
Compost and particularily the stuff one makes throughout the year from kitchens scraps, softwoods and grass clippings - is an immensely satisfying task when applying. You know what;s in the stuff, therefore, you know what is going into your plants...
Other/Inorganic Soil Improvers
Soil additives such as grit, gravel and coarse sand are useful for improving the workability and drainage of heavy soils
Fine sand can aggravate drainage problems by blocking soil pores, so use a coarser aggregate.
Lime too is often used - say for heavy clay soils to help bind the tiny particles together to a workable crumb, it also contains nutrients and acts on humus
Whatever soil improver you use
- whether produced by yourself or purchased from a retail outlet
- apply the product in carefully measured doses, according to instructions and remember
- don't just add - get a good reading of your PH levels first!
