As organic gardeners, we know that our gardens and the plants in them are only as healthy as the soil they grow in. If you are blessed with perfect soil, you’re off to the best start ever — but sadly, most of us aren’t.
Our soils can be filled with water-logging clay or water-dispersing sand, and everything in between. Soil can also need amending after a great growing season, in-between seasons, or in preparation for laying dormant. Fortunately, there are things we can do to improve your soil structure, and fall is a great time to do it! Here are our best tips for when and how to amend soil for a healthier garden.
How do I know if my soil needs amending?
- Water pooling
- Compaction or Erosion
- Algae on the soil surface
- Lackluster plants
- Decreased harvest/blooming
- Increase in pest or disease issues
To avoid any of the above, it’s a great idea to simply amend your beds every fall to make sure your soil remains healthy and vibrant. As plants grow, they pull nutrients from the soil, so it’s up to us to replenish it regularly. Keep reading to find out how!
Top 5 Tips for Amending Your Soil for Fall
When to Amend Your Soil
Because fall is an important planting season, take your planting schedule into consideration as you amend your beds. If you are building new beds, go ahead and amend the soil before planting perennials, shrubs, and trees. In established beds that are home to vegetables and annuals, amend the soil before each new crop is planted. For existing beds with established plants, aim to add soil amendments when the leaves start to fall (imitating Mother Nature as much as possible).
Amending Soil With Organic Matter
Organic matter is the decaying remains of plants and animals. Sounds kind of gross, but this type of material is the hands-down best at binding to soil particles that, in turn, improve the drainage in your soil. Got clay soil? Organic matter helps to break the soil particles apart so that water can get to the plants’ roots. How about sandy soil? Organic matter lodges itself in between all the spaces so that soil stays moist longer instead of quickly draining before roots can absorb the water.
The best organic matter around? Compost — either your own, bagged from the garden center, or in bulk from your local landscape supply yard.
Other Organic Matter to Amend Soil
- Leaves
- Wood chips
- Grass clippings
- Straw
- Earthworms
- Animal manure (chicken, horse, cow, sheep)
Note: There are some risks to consider when using animal manure, un-composted animal manures may contain human pathogens, consult a professional for advice on using manure in your garden.
Soil Amending Methods
Again, this will vary depending upon what is currently in your beds. For unplanted or new beds, spread your organic matter evenly over the surface of your soil (4-5” for clay soils, or 2-3” for loamy soil or soil that is regularly amended), then carefully work it into the top 9” of soil. Working it in by hand works well for smaller quantities, while a rototiller makes larger quantities easier to incorporate. For beds that have large plantings of trees, shrubs, and perennials, simply spread the organic soil amendment over the surface of the soil as a mulch, then over time, it will be carried down into the soil itself. Regardless of whether your beds are planted or unplanted, though, aim to add your amendments after your fall garden cleanup.
Protecting Soil From Erosion
If you are not in an area where you can enjoy a fall growing season you can still work in the garden you will just be working for the spring growing season. Bare soil is eroded by wind and water, by topping your soil with organic matter that breaks down over time and mulch you can stop soil erosion and nutrient loss. Fall can also be a great time to add cover crops that die off in the winter months and in so doing add nutrients back into your soil. Through either of these options, you are creating the perfect environment for your soil to flourish in spring and summer.
Amending Soil For Fall Gardening
If you are amending your soil for another growing season all of the prior tips still apply however if you are growing in raised beds you may need to top off your beds with some fresh soil. If compaction has occurred you can work your organic matter into the soil and add more soil on top. You may also need to add organic nutrients at this time to quickly replenish the lost nutrients from your summer plants. A granulated organic fertilizer mixed into your soil will slowly release nutrients as the plants grow. While an organic fertilizer will give your seedlings and transplants nutrient boosts as they need them.
Note: Each geographic area has its own soil type. Consult with your local experts about what type of soil you have and the best amendments in your area to improve its structure.
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Hello,
I need to purchase soil in bulk for a vegetable patch extension. Do you offer discount on a bulk purchase? I’m thinking 12 bags of a new bed soil and 3 bags of amend for the existing area. Would love to get a cost for this.
Hi Linda, unfortunately, we do not sell in bulk. Our soils are only sold in retail packaging because of the stringent requirements around organic soils and fertilizers. Bulk purchases are prohibited because of the risk of the soil potentially being adulterated. For cost information, we recommend visiting your nearest retailer, which can be found here, https://www.kellogggarden.com/locator/. You may be able to work with one of your local retailers on bulk purchasing. Happy gardening!
I am thinking of a fall garden, however, all I have are containers. This past summer I have grown tomatoes, peppers, cantaloupe, cucumbers, basil, beets, & lettuce. Everything is still growing. I have a few tomatoe plants that never produced any fruit. Is it safe to uproot those plants? Or May blossoms & fruit still come?
How would I amend the soil in containers? I’m thinking of just emptying the container & mix 1/2 of that with your Amend soil? Of course I’d add perlite and worm castings. Then just direct seed.
Container gardening is the only way I can garden as we live in mobile home park, and everything is concrete. The little bit of actual ground soil we have, is where I have a Thompson green grapes growing. Which is another question—— this is the 3rd year for it, and still no grapes. It’s about 3’ tall. I find no information on YouTube for such young plants…is there a fertilizer for them? Thankyou for the abundance of information you give, it’s so helpful! Your YouTube videos are also very helpful!
Backyard Gardner, Marlyn
Zone 9B. Jamestown, California
Hi Marlyn, we’re so happy to hear about your successful summer garden and are pleased that you have found our articles and YouTube videos helpful! Depending on the variety, tomato plants typically begin producing fruit 50 days after they are planted. If this time period has passed and your plant doesn’t have any flowers, then you may want to consider pulling it to make room for your fall garden. If your plant does have blooms and is planted in full sun, hand-pollinating may help it produce fruit. Since you’re in zone 9b there’s still time for a tomato harvest before the first frost.
We recommend amending your container with worm castings and perlite, as you suggested. Our Amend soil is typically recommended for use in in-ground gardens rather than containers. Therefore, try mixing in additional potting or raised bed soil to fill your container. This article gives great examples of ways to amend and layer soil in a container garden as well as a video demonstration: https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/container-gardening/best-soil-for-container-gardening/. For more information on planning your fall garden, check out this article: https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/fall-garden-planning/.
Green grapes can take up to three years to produce. However, that timeline is based on several care factors such as sunlight, soil composition, and pruning. Grapes need well-draining soil and full sunlight in order to thrive and produce. In addition, pruning is one of the most important factors in grape production. Grapes develop on new growth, which sprouts from 1-year-old wood. Propper pruning in the first 3 years is vital. Grapes can also benefit from nitrogen-based fertilizers in the spring but always test your soil before fertilizing. Consulting with your local country extension office or nursery can also be helpful as they can provide additional information and resources specific to growing in your region.
We hope you have another great season, happy gardening!