February 2022
PICKAWAY TO GARDEN
The Loam Ranger
By Paul Hang
Loam is a
gardener’s dream soil. It is, or should be, the goal of every gardener to turn
their soil into loam. However there is no silver bullet for achieving it
Kemosabe. Loam is the best soil texture for plant growth. Loam texture is made
up of approximately 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay. These particles are bound
together into varying sizes of aggregates. Organic matter stabilizes these
aggregates and acts as the “glue” that holds them together. This is what makes
up the structure of soil. Too much digging and tilling breaks up aggregates
into fine powder.
Good soil is
made up of approximately 45% mineral particles, 5% organic matter, 25% water
and 25% air. Roots need oxygen. Air and water fills in the space between soil
particles. Overly wet soils drown plants. Compacted soil suffocates them. Good
soil is also made up of dead organic matter, and alive, in the form of micro- and
macro organisms. Diversity of organisms
in the soil is a good thing. From worms, insects and bugs to arthropods,
nematodes, bacteria and fungi, a soil teeming with life is a healthy soil.
How can we be
a loam ranger? Adding organic matter to the soil can lead to substantial
payoffs. It is the closest thing to a silver bullet. It enhances biological
activity and increases biological diversity. As organic matter is added
aggregation increases and this in turn improves the water storage capacity. It
is important to use varied forms of organic matter. Leaves, straw, newspapers, composted
manures of horses, dairy, chickens and most of all compost will give a varied
diet for the microorganisms. Organic mulches also add organic matter as they
break down. Organic matter oxidizes and gets used up so adding organic matter
several times a year helps to maintain a good level.
Finally, soil
tests can determine if there are nutrient deficiencies or if the soil pH is
interfering with the nutrient availability. Contact the local OSU Extension
office (740-474-7534) or soilhealth.osu.edu for soil test information. Soil is
the foundation upon which plants are built. It is not too strong a statement to
say that all life depends on the soil. Although this has just scratched the
surface, you can get degrees in soil science; these suggestions can help create
your own loam on the range.
Things to do in the garden:
Not much.
Check perennials and bulbs for heaving out of the ground. Press them down
gently with your foot. Make a list of plants you want. Inventory seeds you have
saved make sure they aren’t past viability. Send in your seed orders. Will our
results ever match those of the glossy color pictures? When you make out your
seed and plant orders consider planting more native and heirloom plants and
vegetables. Native plants are plants that evolved here and are adapted to our
conditions, diseases and native pests. While you’re at it try googling the name
of a flower you’re thinking about ordering.
You will be able to see pictures and planting information.
This is the time
to prune trees and shrubs (after you sharpen your tools). You can see their
structure now that they are dormant and the leaves are down. Cut out crossing
and rubbing branches and unwanted suckers.
Pruning can be done to reduce the size of a tree or shrub to bring it in
to balance or to remove overhanging branches blocking a view or path. Insects
are less likely to be attracted to cuts while trees are dormant. Remember,
spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering if you want to enjoy
the blooms. Summer flowering shrubs can be pruned now. Cut back butterfly bush (Buddleia) severely
On smaller
trees you may want to take care of problems yourself. On larger trees you should
call in an expert to inspect and perhaps correct any problems. Arborists are in
a slow time of year. The ground, if frozen, will not be damaged and compacted
as much from equipment and crews. The Arbor Day Foundation recommends that you
have Certified Arborists check any safety problems you may have noticed. To
find them go to www.isa-arbor.com click on “Verify Certification” and
then “Find an Arborist.” The City of Circleville has a Comprehensive Tree Plan.
You can find it at ci.circleville.oh.us, in the search box type Tree Plan.
There you will find lots of information on caring for trees.
If you dug up
bulbs for storage check on them. Spritz them with water to prevent drying out. Throw
away any rotting or shriveled ones. Water any dormant or overwintering plants
in your garage or basement. Water houseplants with lukewarm water, don’t
overwater and turn them a quarter turn once a week, no fertilizer yet.
Some seeds
can be started indoors this month for setting out in late March or early April,
depending on the weather: onions, cabbage, cauliflower, and other members of
the Cole family. The University of Minnesota has a good discussion; go to www.extension.umn.edu/garden /flowers/starting-seeds-indoors. Also
Google Winter Sowing. There you will read how to use old plastic milk bottles
to easily germinate some seeds. It is a good way to raise a lot of seedlings
for planting “drifts,” those bands of like plants that wander serpentine
through our flower beds.
Now is a good
time to start building raised vegetable garden beds. If your compost heap isn’t
frozen and is workable, turn it
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