What soils are called. Selection of optimal crops for planting, depending on the type and type of soil

Methods for cultivating the soil and preparing it for planting fruit and berry plants depend on the type of soil and underlying soils. The soils of the Non-Black Earth Region are very diverse due to the heterogeneity of soil-forming rocks, diversity of relief and climatic conditions.

Soil structure

The predominant soils are podzolic type, the natural fertility of which is usually low. Each type of soil has a characteristic structure. The elements of the profile structure are soil horizons, indicated by letter symbols.

Here are the main ones:

A – upper humus (humus) layer, usually dark in color, most favorable for root growth;
B – transitional from humus to parent rock;
C – parent soil-forming rock.

You can see the structure of the soil on the walls of the soil section. Soddy-podzolic soils are characterized by a shallow humus horizon (12-18 cm) and the presence of a whitish or brown podzolic layer. It is formed as a result of the leaching of organic matter - it is sterile, structureless, and often contains a large amount of elements harmful to plants. Plant roots do not grow in the podzolic horizon.

Determining the degree of podzolization of the soil is of practical importance: in slightly podzolized soils the podzolic horizon is 2-5 cm, in moderately podzolized soils it is 6-14 cm, in strongly podzolized soils it is 15-30 cm or more.

Lightly podzolized soils can be cultivated in one step by digging with the addition of manure or compost. If there is a large layer of podzol, it is necessary to gradually incorporate the podzol into the topsoil.

The transition horizon (B), predominantly brown in color, may be heterogeneous. Soil quality is influenced by parent rock (C). It can be clay, loam, sandy loam, sand (boulder or non-boulder); two-layer sediment (sandy loam and sand are underlain by clay or loam). Uncultivated soddy-podzolic soil contains little potassium and phosphorus and is highly acidic.

They are widespread in the area soil varying degrees swampiness. They are rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, but become suitable for planting only after drainage and subsequent cultivation. Under conditions of waterlogging, a large amount of poorly decomposed plant residues of a characteristic bluish or greenish color accumulate in the upper horizon of these soils. The properties of soils, their water permeability, moisture capacity, air and thermal regimes, and supply of nutrients largely depend on the mechanical composition, i.e. the size of their constituent particles. On this basis soils are divided into clayey, loamy, sandy loam and sandy.

A simple field method can be used to determine the mechanical composition of the soil. To do this, take a little soil and moisten it until it becomes a thick paste. Then they knead and roll out a cord about 3 mm thick on the palm, which is rolled into a ring and a conclusion is made based on its appearance.

Main soil types

Clay soils

Clay soils (consisting of silty and dusty particles) are dense, poorly permeable to water (about 30% of summer precipitation penetrates), contain little air, and beneficial microbiological processes weakly occur in them.

Clay soils retain up to 20% of water in a state inaccessible to plants, do not warm up well, but they contain more nutrients than light soils.
They need to be loosened and dug up frequently in spring and autumn.
For improvement physical and mechanical properties Add a lot of manure, compost or peat to heavy soils. It is effective to add sand (sanding) or slag for digging.

Sandy loam and sandy soils

Sandy loam and sandy soils consist mainly of sand and silt.

They weakly retain moisture and are washed out with it into the lower layers. nutrients.
They warm up quickly, but dry out greatly, so they require additional watering.
Typically, sandy loam soils are low in potassium and magnesium. To increase fertility and improve the structure of such soils, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied to them fractionally, in smaller doses in spring and autumn; loosened less often than dense soils.
For cultivation they are sown leguminous herbs, which during the budding period are buried in the soil as green fertilizer.

One of the methods for improving sandy soils is to lay layers of peat and compost mixed with clay in the soil. Such layers are laid along the planting line to a depth of 50-60 cm. In deep sand, wide trenches or holes are dug with a diameter of 1-2 m, a depth of up to 0.8-1 m, but not deeper than the level groundwater in the spring. Clay mixed with sand or peat (3 parts clay and 1 part sand or peat) is placed on the bottom in a layer of 5-10 cm.

Loamy soils

— in terms of mechanical composition and properties, they occupy an intermediate position; they are most favorable for garden crops. Light loamy soils lend themselves well to cultivation.

Differences between peat bogs and mineral soils

The above soils are classified as normal mineral soils. But there are also peat soils that are divided into lowland, upland and transitional.

Lowland peatlands

- located in river valleys, near lakes, in lowlands, where a large amount of nutrients are carried here with the flow of surface and groundwater. They are formed with the participation of abundant vegetation. Therefore, peat is rich in nutrients, well decomposed, slightly acidic or neutral, and often does not require liming.

High peat bogs

- Formed in elevated areas. They are formed mainly due to sphagnum mosses and atmospheric precipitation. The peat of raised bogs is slightly decomposed, brown in color, poor in nutrients, and very acidic. The development of high peat bogs is less effective than lowland ones.

Transitional peatlands

- occupy an intermediate position between lowland and upland. The peat of such bogs is characterized by low ash content and a slightly acidic reaction.

Peat soils are fundamentally different from mineral (ordinary) soils. This difference is explained by the predominance of organic matter in them (50-70% in low-lying peats, 80-90% in high-moor peats), which is many times more than in ordinary soils.

Peat has increased moisture capacity. Lowland peat can absorb 5-7 times, and high-moor peat 10-15 times more than its dry mass (the soil retains 20-50% of its mass of water).
Peat soils have low thermal conductivity and are therefore considered “cold”; they thaw and warm up very slowly in the spring, which delays the start of agricultural work by 10-14 days. In autumn, early frosts lead to the cessation of plant growth earlier than on conventional soils.

Peat does not contain microorganisms harmful to plants. It is potentially fertile, however batteries are found in tightly bound compounds that are inaccessible to plants. Of the main nutrients, peat contains nitrogen in significant quantities. As it decomposes, micro- and macroelements accumulate in peat. To accelerate the decomposition of peat and to activate biological processes, small doses of manure and fecal compost are added.

As a rule, when caring for plants propagated on peat bogs, higher doses of potassium and phosphorus are used than on ordinary soils. From microfertilizers highest value has the use of copper, boron and molybdenum fertilizers.

Gardens can also be used exhausted peatlands. Peat quarry soils differ in their underlying rocks. All types of dark-colored peat bogs, underlain by limestone, have a rich humus horizon and a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. They do not need liming.

Peatlands underlain by sandy or sandy loam soil have a podzolic horizon and a slightly acidic or acidic reaction. Exhausted high peat bogs have a weakly pronounced humus layer and are acidic.

Peat bogs with a layer of 40-50 cm are considered the most suitable for cultivating a garden. However, even with a layer of 10-15 cm, you can deepen the soil by mixing it with 2-5 cm of underlying soil.

During development, peatlands are limed, and organic and mineral fertilizers and bacteriological preparations are added to stimulate microbiological processes. By draining excess water, the groundwater level is reduced. It is difficult to grow fruit on peatlands due to the proximity of groundwater and the increased frost hazard of the terrain, but berry bushes They grow well, and the strawberries grow successfully.

When growing berry crops On peat, you should pay attention to the density of the soil. If it is very loose, then the plants develop poorly. To eliminate this drawback, sand or clay is added to drained peat soils. 4 buckets of sand or 2 buckets of clay are scattered over the surface at the rate of 1 sq.m of low-lying peatland; for high peat bog - 5 buckets of sand or 3 buckets of clay. Then the area is dug up on the bayonet of a shovel.

Soil containing a lot of gravel or substances harmful to plants is not desirable. When sanding or claying on peat bogs, the root layer warms up better, and the duration of the period from optimal temperatures.

Interesting on the topic

Each region of our country has its own soil types. Their formation was influenced not only by climate and relief, but also by vegetation and animal world. Today we will talk about the types of soils and what crops can be grown on them.

What is soil?

The first who began to study the issue of studying soil was the Soviet scientist V.V. Dokuchaev. He found out that each region has its own soil types. After much research, the scientist came to a conclusion about how the terrain, vegetation, animals, and groundwater affect the fertility of the land in a particular region. And, based on this, he proposed his own classification. They were given full characteristics soil

Of course, each country is guided by the international or its own local table of differentiation of the top layer of the earth. But today we will look at Dokuchaev’s classification.

Types of soils and plants suitable for them

Characteristics of sandy loam soils

Sandy loam soils are another type of soil that are favorable for growing cultivated plants. What are the characteristics of this type of land?

Due to its light structure, such soil perfectly allows air and water to pass through it. It is also worth noting that it retains moisture and some minerals well. Thus, sandy loam soils can enrich all plants growing in them.

During rains or irrigation, such soil quickly absorbs water and does not form a crust on its surface.

Sandy loam soils warm up quickly. Thus, already in early spring they can be used as soil for planting seeds or planting cuttings.

To make your land more fertile, it is recommended to add peat to it. It will help improve the structure of this soil. As for nutrients, to enrich the land with them it is necessary to add compost or manure to it. This needs to be done often. As a rule, summer residents pour prepared humus diluted with water onto the roots of plants, which ensures rapid growth and enrichment with minerals and nutrients.

How can you determine soil fertility?

We have already figured out that all types of soil differ from each other not only in composition, but also in their suitability for growing certain plants in them. But is it possible to determine the fertility of the soil in your dacha yourself? Yes, it's possible.

First of all, you must understand that the amount of nutrient minerals in the soil depends on acidity. Therefore, in order to decide whether it is necessary to improve its composition or not by adding fertilizers, it is necessary to know its acidity. The norm for all soils is pH 7. Such soil perfectly absorbs the necessary nutrients and enriches all the plants growing in it with them.

So, in order to determine the pH of the soil, you need to use a special indicator. But, as practice shows, sometimes this method is not reliable, since the result is not always true. Therefore, experts recommend collecting a small amount of soil from different places in the dacha and taking it to the laboratory for analysis.

Experienced gardeners know very well that most of the planned seasonal work. Maintaining a garden is not complete without taking into account the soil composition and characteristics of the soil on the farm’s territory. Sow, care for and fertilize the land to obtain great harvest necessary only after a thorough soil analysis.

To improve its quality and characteristics in agriculture even special techniques have been developed for processing and applying green manure, various plants, which fertilize and strengthen existing soils with the products of their vital activity. In order to effectively apply such agricultural technologies within your own country farm, it is better to use them after careful study existing varieties soils, their typical properties and characteristics.

The easiest way to have a beautiful front lawn
Of course you saw perfect lawn in the cinema, on the alley, and perhaps on the neighbor’s lawn. Those who have ever tried to grow a green area on their site will no doubt say that it is great work. The lawn requires careful planting, care, fertilization, and watering. However, only inexperienced gardeners think this way; professionals have long known about the innovative product - liquid lawn AquaGrazz.

The territory of Russia is quite diverse and soil composition may also vary. When the question arises of adding green manure for processing and improving gardening, selecting garden crops to obtain a high-quality and rich harvest, dividing the site into planting and fertilizing zones and other work to improve soil quality, it is necessary first of all to study the characteristics of the soil on the site. Such knowledge makes it possible not only to avoid many difficulties with growing plants, but also to qualitatively increase productivity and protect your garden from typical garden diseases and pests.

This variety is very easy to identify. So, when during the spring preparatory work, the soil is dug up, the clods turn out to be large, they stick when moistened, and you can easily roll a long cylinder out of the ground that does not crumble when bent. This type of soil has a very dense structure with poor air ventilation. Saturation of water and warming of the earth are poor, and therefore planting and growing capricious garden crops on clay soils quite problematic.
But in gardening this type of soil can become the basis for a good harvest if you resort to tillage on the site. To cultivate clay soils, the addition of green manure is rarely used; in order to lighten the dense structure, they are enriched with sand, peat, ash and lime additives. An accurate calculation of the amount of various additives can only be made by conducting a laboratory study of soils from the site. But to increase their fertility, it is better to use averaged data. So, to enrich a square meter of land, you need to add about 40 kg of sand, 300 grams of lime and a bucket of peat and ash. It is better to use horse manure as an organic fertilizer. And if it is possible to use green manure, you can sow rye, mustard and some oats.

It is very easy to identify their variety. The main characteristics of such soils are looseness and flowability. They cannot be compressed into a lump without it falling apart. All the advantages of these soils are also their main disadvantages. Rapid heating, easy circulation of air, minerals and water leads to rapid cooling, drying out and leaching of useful substances. The substances necessary for plants do not have time to linger in such soil and quickly sink to depth.
Therefore, growing any type of vegetation on sandstones is a very difficult task, even after the start of processing. To cultivate the land in such an area, they use the introduction of substances that make the light structure more dense. Such additives include peat, humus, compost and clay flour. It is necessary to add sealing components to each square meter no less than a bucket. It would not be superfluous to use green manure. For this work, you can sow mustard, rye and various varieties of oats; after such treatment, even the use of fertilizers will become more effective.

Sandy loam priming

This type of soil cover is very similar to sandstones, but due to a higher percentage of clay components, it retains minerals better.
Cultivation of such soils is easier and does not require as much effort as sandy and clayey varieties. Types of sandy loam soils may differ slightly from each other, but the characteristics always correspond to rapid warming up and heat retention for a long period, as well as optimal saturation with moisture, oxygen and useful substances. To determine the sandy loam cover, you can compress a lump of earth, which should take the shape of a lump, but gradually disintegrate. These types of soil are initially ready for growing any garden and vegetable crops. But for greater efficiency and in cases of depletion of soil cover, you can use the planting of green manure plants (rye or mustard). It is enough to plant rye and mustard once every 3-4 years; if the choice fell in the direction of oats, then strengthening is carried out more often.

Loamy priming

These species are optimal for growing the most different plants. Their characteristics make it possible to do without additional processing. Such soil contains optimal quantity useful and necessary microelements for full growth and development, as well as a high level of saturation of the plant root system with water and air, allows us to achieve not only a large potato yield. On such lands you can grow all types of garden and garden plants. It is very easy to distinguish them from other types of soil. You need to squeeze the earth into a ball, and then try to bend it. Loamy soil will easily take shape, but will break if you try to deform it.

Lime priming

A very poor variety of land for gardening work. Plants grown on a lime base often suffer from a lack of iron and manganese.
You can distinguish calcareous soil by its light color brown color and a structure with many stone inclusions. Such soil requires frequent cultivation to obtain a harvest. The lack of basic components and the alkaline environment do not allow moisture and organic composition to receive everything necessary for proper growth and development. To improve the fertile properties of the land, the use of green manure is very effective. A simple solution will sow rye and mustard. If you grow rye and mustard on a plot for several years, you can increase the yield of other crops several times.

marshy or peat priming

In their original form, these soils are unsuitable for planting a garden or vegetable garden. But after treatment, growing plants is quite possible.
Such soils quickly absorb water, but do not retain it inside. Also, such land has a fairly high level of acidity, which leads to a lack of minerals and beneficial elements for vegetation. After the landscaping work carried out in the fall, the next season you can try to grow unpretentious garden crops.

Chernozemny priming

Chernozems are a gardener's dream. But among dacha soils it is rare. A stable, coarse-grained structure, an abundance of humus and calcium, and ideal water and air exchange make chernozems the most desirable soils.
But with active cultivation and use for cultivation fruit trees and vegetable crops, even such soil can be depleted, so it must be promptly fed and stimulated its fertile properties. For such purposes, growing green manure is ideal. Rye and mustard are very good to plant after potatoes, which quickly deplete the soil. It is worth repeating the procedure with planting green manure once every 2-3 years. Rye, mustard and varieties of oats are often used in mass agriculture to restore soil fertility, but also in conditions personal plot can be achieved excellent results. It is easy to establish that there is indeed chernozem soil in the area; you need to squeeze the earthen lump and a greasy and black spot will remain on the palm of your hand.

Selection of plants based on soil composition

To make your work easier when creating a garden, you should select garden crops based on characteristic features and plant adherence to soil varieties. Thus, some representatives of the flora will not grow on land that is not suitable for their cultivation, despite all the efforts made, while others, under the same conditions, will actively grow and bear fruit.

When choosing garden vegetation, the soil characteristics of the site must be taken into account.

Clayey Earth

The density of the soil does not allow the root system to be fully saturated with air, moisture and heat. Therefore, the yield of vegetable crops in such areas is very small, the only exception being the cultivation of potatoes, beets, peas and Jerusalem artichoke. But shrubs and trees with a strong root system feel quite acceptable in an area with clay soil.

Sandstones

Even before adding compacting components, you can increase the yield level of the site if you sow carrots, melons, various varieties of onions, currants and strawberries. If you fertilize the soil regularly throughout the season, you can get a good harvest of potatoes, cabbage and beets. The use of fast-acting fertilizers can increase the fruiting of fruit trees.

Sandy loam and loamy Earth

Any plants are suitable for these types of soil. The only limitation can be considered the selection of garden crops, taking into account the area, zoning and climatic conditions.

Limestone Earth

Growing plants in such soil is quite problematic. It is not suitable for growing potatoes; you should also avoid tomatoes, sorrel, carrots, pumpkins, cucumbers and salads.

marshy or peat Earth

Without cultivation, only gooseberry and currant bushes can be grown on peat bogs. For other garden crops, cultivation work is required. Growing fruit plants, especially potatoes, is impossible in peat bog conditions.

Chernozemnaya Earth

Most the best option for dachas and household plots. It is ideal for all garden crops, even the most finicky ones.

For each type of soil, professional agronomists have developed special techniques and methods that ensure optimal survival of new plants and full growth of existing ones.

To increase your yield, you can use the following simple recommendations.

Clay

For clay soils recommended:
— high position beds;
— it is better to sow seeds at a shallower depth;
— seedlings are planted at an angle for optimal heating of the root system;
— after planting, it is necessary to regularly apply loosening and mulching;
— in the fall, after harvesting, it is necessary to dig up the soil.

Sand

For sandstones There is a technology where a clay base, about 5 cm thick, is created on sandy soil. On this basis, a bed is created from imported fertile soil and the plants are already planted on it.

Sandy loam soils

Such soils respond well to the application of a wide variety of organic fertilizers. It is also recommended to periodically mulch, especially in the fall after harvesting.

Loam

Loams do not require additional processing. It is enough to support them with mineral fertilizers, and in the fall, when digging, it is very good to add a small amount of manure.

Limestone

For limestones needs to be carried out regularly following works:
- saturation of the earth organic fertilizers;
— mulching with the addition of organic impurities;
— it is necessary to often sow green manure plants: rye, mustard, varieties of oats;
- you need to sow the seeds with frequent watering and loosening;
— the use of potassium fertilizers and additives with an acidic environment gives good results.

Peat

For peat bogs Quite a lot of gardening work is required:
- you need to strengthen the soil with sand or clay flour, for this you can carry out in-depth digging of the area;
- if the soil is found to be highly acidic, it is necessary to carry out liming;
- you can increase the fertility of the land by applying large quantity organics;
— the introduction of potassium and phosphorus equations increases productivity well;
— fruit trees require planting in deep holes with the addition of fertile soil or planting on artificially created earthen hills;
— as for sandstones, for a vegetable garden it is necessary to create beds on a clay bed.

For black soil no special processing required. Additional work can only be associated with the characteristics of specific groups of plants. It is also necessary to regularly carry out work to prevent soil depletion. It is enough to plant a few green manure plants: rye, mustard and oat varieties, and the soil will be strengthened and saturated with useful elements for several more years.

The composition of the soil is very important property for setting up a lawn. Depending on the percentage three elements– dust, sand and silt, sandy, sandy loam, clayey, loamy and peat soils are formed. Knowing the type of soil, you can determine what elements need to be added to the soil for better growth lawn grass.

Sandy and sandy loam soils

Sandy and sandy loam soils are classified as light. In their composition big number sand particles through which moisture easily penetrates. Such soils contain few nutrients. They warm up quickly and also lose heat quickly. They are easy to handle and quickly absorb moisture. Without additional processing and the addition of a nutrient mixture, it will not be able to please you with a nice green lawn. In sandy soil, plants usually suffer from lack of moisture. Nutrients are washed away organic matter decompose very quickly due to the large amount of oxygen.

In most cases, sandy soils contain some clay. Therefore, it is necessary to enrich with peat powder, humus and compost. Improving sandy soil and its fertility is achieved by creating a fertile layer, subsequent application of fertilizers and mulching. A fertile layer is created as follows: a layer of clay soil is poured, approximately 3-6 cm (about 5 buckets per square meter), leveled, and then sandy loam, loamy and peat soil is poured. The approximate thickness of the new soil should be at least 25 cm.

Clay soil

Clay soil is poorly cultivated and takes a long time to dry out. It has high viscosity and does not allow air to pass through easily. The soil structure is dense and heavy. Root system plants have difficulty penetrating the viscous damp mass. During heavy rains, water stagnates on clay soil; during drought, the soil begins to resemble stone.

To make a lawn on clay soil, you need to make it looser. To do this, add a mixture of sand, rotted manure, peat and sawdust. The second way to increase the fertility of clay soil is to annually add at least 3 kg of fertilizers and 200-300 g of lime per 1 sq.m.

Loamy soil

Loamy soil is rich in nutrients and has a granular-lumpy texture. It consists of small dust particles and medium-sized solid fractions. Thanks to this, the soil is easy to process. These soils retain and accumulate water and nutrients and retain heat well. Dignity loamy soils is a high content of mineral elements that maintain proper soil acidity. To maintain soil health, organic fertilizers must be applied annually.

Peaty-swampy soil

The main composition of the soil is components of organic origin. Contains nitrogen and phosphorus in a form unsuitable for absorption by plants. This soil is characterized by a high level of air and water permeability. Due to high humidity, the soil does not warm up well. Quickly absorbs and releases moisture.

To plant and arrange a lawn on peat soil, it is necessary, first of all, to normalize the process of decomposition of organic elements. To increase porosity, clay flour, coarse sand, and compost are added. To increase the soil microflora it is recommended to add sawdust, rotted manure, compost, potash and phosphorus fertilizers.

How to determine soil type?

There is a simple method to determine soil type. Take a small lump of soil weighing 60-70 grams in your hands and grind it into small pieces. Then moisten with water until it forms a dough and try to roll it into a ball the size of a nut. Then try to roll out a cord from the ball. If you have reached the last operation, then the soil is clayey and loamy. Sandy soil will not even make a ball; the earth will crumble. Sandy loam soil will make it possible to roll a ball with a rough surface, which will inevitably crumble when rolled out. Light loamy soil can be rolled into a cord 3-4 mm thick, but it cannot be bent into a circle. Medium loamy soil easily rolls out into a cord 2mm thick and breaks when bent into a ring 2-3cm in diameter. Heavy loamy soil allows you to roll a thin long cord 2 mm thick, which can easily be bent into a ring with a diameter of 2 cm.

You can determine the type of soil by wild plants. Mint and Snapdragon, for example, grow on heavy soils. Chamomiles grow on soils poor in potassium. Growing grasses are a sign of good soil.

It is better to grow trees, shrubs, vegetables and fruits.

Soil types and suitable crops

A rich harvest depends on many factors, but the quality of the soil is perhaps the determining factor. Soil fertility is its ability to provide plants with nutrients, moisture and air.

Of course, any land can be improved, but for this you need to have an idea about the subject of our conversation.

Soil is a layer of earth containing nutrients, the amount of which decreases as you go deeper. For this reason, when selecting garden crops, it is necessary to take into account the depth of the soil layer, its mechanical composition, the amount of humus it contains, and much more.

There are five main types of soil: clay, loam, sand, calcareous and peat. But they are practically never found in their pure form. Mixed combinations often occur various types, one of which is predominant.

Clay soils. Characteristic

Clay soils, although fertile, are characterized as the most difficult to cultivate. They retain water, cake and compact. IN spring period Plants are planted on them later, since the soil does not dry out for a long time and is poorly heated by the sun. And in summer, moisture evaporates from it very quickly.

With appropriate cultivation of such soil, you can get a good harvest, since it contains significantly more nutrients than other soils. The composition of clay soil can be improved by digging in spring and autumn, as well as by adding leaf humus, manure, garden compost, ash, coarse sand and peat. Once every 3 years it should be limed.

It is recommended to add crushed bricks or weed ash when digging. It is also advisable to sow legumes on clay soil and then bury the tops. If there is severe waterlogging, drainage must be used. Transforming clay soils will take time and patience.

With appropriate processing clay soils will grow and develop well fruit trees and shrubs, in particular barberry and chokeberry; garden crops, such as peas, beans, cabbage, spinach, potatoes, etc.; flowers - snakeweed, hosta, crayfish.

Sandy soil. Characteristic

Sandy soils, consisting of sand and silt, are easily accessible to water, warm up well in the spring, and are easy to cultivate. But they retain moisture and nutrients poorly, are quickly washed out, are also susceptible to erosion, and have little potassium and magnesium. To improve the quality of sandy soils it is necessary to apply the following types treatments: applying fertilizers in small doses in the spring and autumn seasons, mulching with organic matter - fallen leaves, compost and rotted bark. The effect will be given by adding Sod land. A year before planting trees, you can apply green fertilizer, for example, lupine. Grapes grow well on sandy soils; with good cultivation, raspberries can be planted; on sandy loam - pear, chokeberry, strawberry, blackberry, honeysuckle, dahlia. Plants native to arid areas thrive on them.

Loamy soil. Characteristic

Loamy soils are most suitable for gardening. They have good air and moisture capacity and are easily crushed. Wet loam is grainy and smears a little. Such soil does not need to be dug up frequently, as this leads to the formation of a hard layer shallow from the surface, which interferes with the development of roots. After rain, a crust also forms on it, preventing water from seeping through. Improving measures include changing the depth of tillage and applying fertilizers. Loams are suitable for all types of plants.

Peat soils. Characteristic

Peat soils are poor in phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Plant residues decompose poorly in them. Their quality can be improved by draining, liming, and adding fertilizers and sand. The latter needs to be evenly scattered over the surface and dug up several times for better mixing. Enriched peat soil becomes suitable for cultivating fruit and berry crops. When planting plum, apple and cherry trees, you need to dig a deep and wide hole, pour sand into it and 1 part each of imported soil containing loamy soil and lime. For a pear, the ratio of soil and sand is 70 and 30%, respectively. On such soil, chokeberry, bird cherry, and lilac take root well (except hybrid varieties), grows remarkably and gives good harvests strawberries

Calcareous soils. Characteristic

In calcareous soils, lime itself makes up at least half the volume, the rest is sand or clay. It belongs to the category of loose soils, is easy to cultivate, and warms up quickly. At the same time, it is dry and does not provide plants with sufficient quantity water. After rain, a crust forms on it, preventing the penetration of air. A special type of calcareous soil is chalk soil, in which chalk is mixed with loam or clay. They are characterized high level acidity. If there is a large amount of clay in calcareous soils, they grow well. Walnut, berry bushes, grapes, beech, maple, ash, elm, serviceberry, gorodina.

How to determine soil fertility?

An important factor for determining soil fertility is its acidity (alkalinity). It reflects the amount of nutrients present in the soil. Knowing the acidity level of the soil, you can determine measures to improve its condition and choose the most suitable plants. An acidity level (pH) of 7 is typical for neutral soil and is considered normal. Such soil absorbs nutrients well, ignoring harmful ones. Values below 7 are indicators of increased acidity; values above indicate the predominance of alkalis in the soil. For sandy soils this figure is 5-5.5, for loamy soils improved by cultivation - 6.5-7.

The simplest and available method determination of acidity - using a special indicator. True, often, as experience shows, the results of a pH tester are not accurate. To obtain reliable indicators, it is necessary to take soil from different places on the site and submit it to a laboratory for analysis.

You can determine the type of soil in your garden yourself. To do this you need to be observant. For example, an abundance of horsetail, plantain, wood sorrel, wood lice and buttercup in the garden is a sign of acidic soils. They are also preferred by camellia, azalea and hydrangea. Plum and cherry trees do not like acidic soils.

Quinoa, wheatgrass, coltsfoot, clover, and chamomile grow well in slightly acidic and neutral soils. Most of all they are suitable for roses, gillyflowers, asters, decorative cabbage and chrysanthemums.