Loams. These soils are the gardener's best friend, being a 'perfect' balance of all soil particle types.
Loamy soil is ideal for most garden plants because it holds plenty of moisture but also drains well so that sufficient air can reach the roots.
The ideal blend of soil for plant growth is called loam. Often referred to as topsoil or black dirt by landscape companies, loam is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt. The estimated mixture is 40% sand – 40% silt – 20% clay.
Most common garden plants prefer loam — soils with a balance of different-sized mineral particles (approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay) with ample organic matter and pore space. However, some plants grow better in sandy soils, while others are well-adapted to clay soils.
Loamy-textured soils are commonly described as medium textured with functionally-equal contributions of sand, silt, and clay. These medium-textured soils are often considered ideal for agriculture as they are easily cultivated by farmers and can be highly productive for crop growth.
The ideal soil type is sandy loam, which is essentially soil that is loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. Oftentimes the native soil in your yard is not suitable for growing plants, as it may have poor drainage or subpar composition. It may also contain heavy metals or pesticides.
It is the unique blend of each that gives it it's characteristic, determining which soil type it is and which are better for growing plants and crops in. There are three main categories of soil: sandy, clay or loam.
Many gardeners trust peat as a growing medium. But it's not always ideal. It is a poor mulch, quickly dries out, and is easily blown away. Peat compost alternatives have been refined over many years to provide a fantastic growing medium.
Peat moss is an important component of most potting soils and seed starting mediums. It holds several times its weight in moisture, and releases the moisture to the plants roots as needed. It also holds onto nutrients so that they aren't rinsed out of the soil when you water the plant.
Peat moss and compost are not the same thing. Peat moss is a natural product that's formed as layers of moss grow over one another. (Peat moss is the bottom layer.) Compost is made as everyday waste materials decompose into nutrient-rich soil.
Is Peat Moss Good For Grass? Peat moss is a great addition to soil for growing grass. It helps to balance the pH of the soil, holds moisture, and provides essential nutrients to the plants. Peat moss also helps to prevent weeds from taking over, as it creates a dense layer on top of the soil.
It is the lack of protections afforded to habitats like peatlands which has propelled the loss of almost 50% of the UK's biodiversity. Peatlands are also crucial carbon stores, locking away over three billion tonnes of carbon in the UK alone. However, when peatlands are damaged, this carbon is released.
Its extraction for human use dries the peat causing the area to degrade and also increases the risk of wildfires. These two factors allow for increasing amounts of carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere, making them one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases.
Several vegetables don't thrive in peat moss due to its acidity and high moisture retention. These include asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, garlic, carrots, beets, onions, broad beans, cucumbers, eggplants, radishes, and zucchini. These plants prefer well-drained, often sandy or loamy soil over peat moss.
Alternatives to peat
Many peat-free growing media are now available, containing materials such as bark, wood fibre, coir (pictured), anaerobic digestate, bracken, sheep's wool waste, and green waste compost.
Clay soils are the heaviest of soil types and are often considered the hardest to work with. They hold onto water and often take longer to warm in the spring. Soil compaction and cracking is also a big risk of clay soils.
Generally speaking, clay-rich soils have the largest pore space, hence the greatest total water holding capacity.
Sandy loam soils are perfect for growing vegetables but will benefit from the addition of a layer of compost. This will help to hold the moisture and will also add some valuable nutrients.
Use the best available quality potting mix formulated for vegetables and herbs in your vegie box for optimal results, not garden soil which will dry out and compact quickly. Choose from 100% natural, certified organic, premium boosted with organics or premium with controlled release fertiliser.
Garden soil is just topsoil that has extra organic matter mixed in, like compost, peat, bark shredding, or fertilizer. It's intended to be used in the garden, where your plants benefit from the added fertility and nutrients. Some garden soils are even specifically tailored for vegetables or flowers.
Aim for a 50:50 Mix of Greens and Browns
Think grass clippings, spent crops, old bedding plants, annual weeds (seed-free so you don't inadvertently spread them about in the final compost), and kitchen waste such as vegetable peelings and fruit peels.
Multi-purpose compost
Multi-purpose peat free compost is the best choice if you're planting small patio pots, hanging baskets, herbs, leafy salads and flowering bedding plants.
Peat soil can increase aeration in your organic soil mix and allow your plants' roots room to breathe. 2. Peat soil is pathogen-free. Unlike untreated compost, peat soil is a good option for seed starting as it rarely contains harmful microorganisms like weed seeds or bad bacteria.
There are many peat deposits in Victoria, for example, in Western Port, South Gippsland, Western District Plains and the Eastern Highlands. Peat in Victoria is used mainly as a soil conditioner. The most recently developed deposit is at Swan Marsh near Colac in the Western District Plains.