This picture shows my vegetable garden soil in 1992 behind a newly planted tomato plant. Our soil is mostly decomposed granite with very little organic matter. Decomposed granite is like sand with large granules and drains well but dries out quickly.
The soil is very alkaline.
In the forested areas of our property, the soil is only about 2 inches deep and covered with pine needles
Our meadows, on the other hand, have very deep, black soil. When I first put in my vegetable garden, I had the soil tested. The test measured the pH at 8.3 and showed the soil had average nutrients but very little organic matter. I have added horse manure, compost, or other vegetative matter to the garden soil every year and the soil now holds moisture much better. |
