Our “fearless BCG leader”, Les, has become passionate about investigating soils this month and has some interesting insights to share with us.

“Growing up in England we had Percy Thrower as our gardening guru on Vegetable and Herb growing. His consistent mantra was “It’s all in the soil”, and I have to say, " how right he was!" Science has discovered so much more since then, and now no-till gardening/farming are slowly taking over. We are being encouraged at every turn to plant more native plants. These methods sequester ten times more carbon than trees do, so we have to acknowledge that healthy no-tilled soil is the best.
The Canadian Wildlife Federation claims that approximately four & a half million acres of garden land across Canada can be no-tilled and planted with native plants, creating habitat for insects, butterflies, animals & birds!

In our own Belcarra garden, the soil is very poor! We are slowly improving it, and by the time we “snuff it” (Oh Les, you have such a way with words!) hopefully we will leave behind soil and plants that are sequestering lots of carbon.  It looks like the most prolific soil in BC is Humo-Ferric Podzol,  and Belcarra seems to be no exception. Check out the webpages so that you and your kids can learn some neat facts about our soils!

HAPPY GARDENING! Les Bramley

So… what is our soil actually comprised of, and what’s the difference between your natural soil and purchased garden soil or potting soil?    The best garden soils are deep (for roots to grow), porous (allowing air and water to move), and loamy. “Loamy soil” has a balance of sand, silt (a mixture of sand and clay), and clay as well as being rich in organic humus.  There is moisture and air to support plant roots, without being soggy.  Fertile soils have rich nutrients, no harmful contaminants, and are alive with microorganisms, beneficial critters, and earthworms. Soil types may be loamy, silty, clay, sandy, peaty, chalky.  Be aware that different plants prefer different soil types!

To check the soil in your garden, dig a hole about 1 foot deep and examine the different levels.  Feel the texture and note the presence/absence of critters.  Clay soils tend to feel sticky and can be rolled into a ball.  Sandy soils are gritty and can’t be compressed. Take containers of soil at different levels and add water, then let them drain for a day.  The results will indicate clay or sand. Testing your soil (either with homemade or professional tests) will provide information as to pH and organic matter. It will show the levels of nutrients that plants need most:  nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium.    The illustration here shows a great way to test your soil type! Thank you to GardensEdge.com for this!

Commercial garden soil is a blend of natural topsoil or sand mixed with inexpensive organic material.  It may contain sand, mushroom compost, cow or chicken manure, composted bark.  It improves the water-holding capacity of sandy soils and loosens heavy clay soils, important for root development.  Potting mix or potting soil, used for containers, may or may not contain actual soil!  Some of the ingredients may be: peat moss, composted manure, perlite or pine bark, vermiculite, coconut coir, soil-release fertilizers.  Peat-based, soilless mixes are often used for germinating seeds.  Read your ingredients when purchasing and check the specifics that they are intended for.

The bottom line seems to be less than an exact science.  Find out your general soil type and make adjustments, use homemade/purchased composts, get your soil tested every so often. Keep a journal and record what is/ is not working for YOUR garden and YOUR plants!

RELATED LINKS

Garden Soil information
https://www.homefortheharvest.com/garden-soil/
https://www.homefortheharvest.com/types-of-soil-in-garden/

Garden Soil versus Potting Soil
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/garden-soil-vs-potting-soil/

6 types of soil in your garden
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/types-of-soil-for-your-garden/

Ways to improve your soil
https://www.gardenista.com/posts/dirty-secrets-10-ways-to-improve-garden-soil/

Comparison of (commercial) garden soils
https://gardensimply.com/best-garden-soil-for-your-garden
https://bestreviews.com/lawn-garden/gardening/best-garden-soil
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-soil-for-raised-beds/

Take a look at this web page if you want you or your kids to learn some neat facts about our soils.
https://openpress.usask.ca/soilscience/chapter/the-soils-of-British-Columbia-and-Yukon/

Welcome to the British Columbia Soil Information Finder Tool
Soil is one of British Columbia's most important resources. Soil supports the growth of fiber and food; acts as a filter for air and water; affects global climate through gas exchange and storage; contains a diverse array of organisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria, insects, worms); and supports natural ecosystems and wildlife habitat. Soil plays a key role in our economy, our health, and our environment.
https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=cc25e43525c5471ca7b13d639bbcd7aa

Soil Project - Use arrow to scroll through selected project. Project: Soils of the Northern Lower Fraser Valley
Looks like our area (Anmore, that is!) hasn't been checked since 1939! Oh dear!

Soil Food Web

Soil food web - Wikipedia
"The soil food web is the community of organisms living all or part of their lives in the soil. It describes a complex living system in the soil and how it interacts with the environment, plants, and animals."