2/10/2005

The Journal (Newcastle, England)

By Peter Surridge

Peter Surridge gets down to the basics of gardening success.

Two ingredients are among the essentials for successful gardening; soil and water.

But they must blend in particular proportions. Too much soil and nothing much will grow, too much water and you'll be up to your ankles in mud.

Think of mud and a string of uncomplimentary adages spring to mind ... mud-slinging ... his name is mud.

We instinctively avoid the stuff as totally undesirable. And, in this winter's deluges, that has been understandable. However, we are wrong to hold it in contempt because mud can be great for growing.

Physically, all types of soil consist chiefly of three things: ground-down particles of rock, minute pieces of organic matter which is decaying plant material and numerous micro-organisms.

The longer it has been lying around on Earth, the more muddy soil will become so to help you make the most of it, I have given a `mud rating' from 1-5. Three is ideal.

SANDY SOIL has a mud rating of only one. Just an hour or two after a downpour, it is possible to work the ground without getting unduly dirty boots. It is also possible to mow a lawn within an hour or two, especially if using a hover-mower. This kind of earth is young in evolutionary terms and is made up of relatively large mineral particles which hold little water, so it drains quickly and is likely to dry out during droughts. As the water trickles through, it also washes out natural nutrients which are, in any case, low in this type of soil.

Despite these shortcomings, plenty of plants will thrive in these poor conditions provided they are fed at least twice a year and watered in dry spells. They include shrubs such as the daisy-bush, Brachyglottis laxifolia (pictured), euphorbia, berberis and spiraea, and perennials like hellebores, lupins and oriental poppies. Sandy and gravelly soils need to be made muddier. So dig in liberal amounts of farmyard manure or garden compost every autumn or early spring. This is particularly important if growing fruit and vegetables.

To improve fertility, rake in a fertilizer such as National Growmore or blood, fish and bone once a year, a month before the main planting time, at the rate of 60g per square metre (2oz per square yard). For better crops of fruit, peas and beans, apply a liberal sprinkling of sulphate of potash around the roots annually, or the organic equivalents of seaweed meal or rock potash.

Applications of lime might also be necessary if the soil is acidic ( hoe in 80g per square metre (3oz per square yard) once every three years, but not in an area where potatoes are to be grown in the same season because it encourages scab, an unsightly potato skin disease.

LOAMY SOIL is every gardener's ideal. Depending on whether it is light, heavy or medium loam, the mud rating varies from two to four. The perfect medium loam (mud rating three) is dark in colour and has a crumbly structure. It drains well enough to avoid becoming waterlogged yet manages to retain moisture and nutrients ( perfect for helping most plants to flourish.

Loams usually contain a great deal of organic matter and, therefore, a lively population of earthworms. Keep them healthy by incorporating manure or compost every two years and giving a light dressing of general fertiliser each year.

CLAY SOIL has my top mud rating of five which  means about 5lb of clay on each boot in wet weather. It is the oldest type of soil, comprised of the tiniest particles. These retain water extremely effectively and contain a high level of mineral nutrients so, once a plant is established, it can take advantage of that supply of food and moisture. That's the good news.

The bad news is the particles are so tightly packed together they can exclude air from the roots, thus limiting growth.

It takes back-breaking effort to get the full benefit of the plant food contained in clay. Add large amounts of any kind of organic material ( farmyard manure, garden compost ( and of grit which opens up the soil texture.

However, there are plants suited to a muddy lifestyle the kinds which grow happily at the edges of ponds, for instance, hostas, irises, and primulas.