The Synchronous Converter

The most important factor in having a successful garden is the soil. It should be a rich sandy loam, slightly crumbly, loose and fertile. Unfortunately, not many gardeners are blessed with the perfect soil, so they take what they have, and make improvements as they go along. With a little research, and probably a little more work, you can have gardening soil you will be proud to till.

There are three common types of soil, each with its own unique properties. Listed below is a breakdown of each:

Clay, or silty- This type of soil contains small particles of clay interspersed throughout, it becomes very slippery and quite sticky when wet. This makes it difficult to plant early in the season because it cannot be tilled when it is wet, or it will become packed and full of clods. Water will often sit on top of the ground in clay soils, not allowing the water to penetrate. One of the more difficult soils .

Sandy - This type of soil will have larger particles, are usually a lighter sandy color. Sandy soil is very loose, will not compact. This soil will hold much more water, but does not retain moisture for any extended period. Good for root crops as it allows free growth without distortion.

Loam - This type of soil is the gardeners dream, a perfect combination of sand, clay and organic material. Loam absorbs water, and retains it for later use. It does not compact, but is loose and crumbly, a pure delight for any gardener.

Even if you do not have the perfect soil, you can always make improvements. With the addition of organic matter, tilling to break up the compacted areas, and using mulch to hold in the moisture, you can improve even the worst soil.