Soils and Home Gardening

THREE SISTERS PROJECT

VALERIA CANO CAMACHO

AG SPECIALIST I

RECAP OF PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS

A soil is composed of…

Soil Organic Matter

Mineral Particles

5% Soil Organic Matter

Air

Water

Decomposed

SOM

10%

Roots

10% Organisms

10% Organisms

What’s the difference between…

SOIL TEXTURE

SOIL STRUCTURE

Soil Physics

What is pH?

MEASURE OF HYDROGEN CONCENTRATION IN A SOLUTION

• Ratio of H⁺ and OH^-
• Most vegetables grow best in slight acidic soil… around 6
• Add lime to increase pH
• Add OM to decrease pH (evergreen needles etc)

Soil Chemistry

Soil Health Definition

“Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.”

- Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

* Only living things can be ‘healthy’.

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Soil Biology

Activity: Compare & Contrast Potting Mix

• We are going to MYOS (make your own soil…mix)
• Why? What’s the difference between top soil/garden soil and potting mix?
• What is potting mix?
• Peat moss + perlite/sand/vermiculite + soil = container garden soil

Potting Mix Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 part peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part soil

DIRECTIONS

Pre wet the perlite and moss to avoid lose powders inhaled. Mix all parts together. Add more water if needed. Mix until goldilocks consistency. Not too sticky and not too gritty

Now pick your own seeds!

Look over seed options and choose your favorite!

Recap: Plants, Plants, Plants

• Why are plants important?
• What do plants need to be healthy?
• How do we best care for plants?

Getting Started Gardening

• Selecting a site & size of garden
• What type of garden?
• Setting up irrigation (Workshop is coming soon!)
• Plant selection
• How do you maintain your garden
• Harvesting
• Save Seeds & Share Food!

Site Selection & Size

• Full Sun!
• Close to a water source
• Easy access
• Start Small
• Plan, Measure, and Label
• Intercropping/Vertical/

YOU CAN GARDEN ANYWHERE & EVERYWHERE!

• Container
• Window Box
• Shared Space
• Raised Bed
• Perennial Bed
• Agroforestry

• Mounds
• Intercropping
• Companion Planting
• Vertical Space
• Intensive

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Easy Peasy Lemon Squizzy

Direct Seed

• Tomato
• Cucumbers
• Melons (High Heat)
• Culinary Herbs
• Annual Flowers

Transplants

• Peppers (from Starts)
• Lettuce
• Fruit Trees
• Berries

Gardening Tips

• Start Small
• Pick 1-2 plants to get to know each season
• Try and Fail and Try again
• Show your love
• Water more than you think is appropriate
• Listen to what your plants are telling you
• Relax, plants WANT to grow.

Garden Maintenance:�All Relationships take time & effort

• Garden Walks (Observation)
• Pay attention to the color, growth and developmental rate of plants
• Feel the soil
• Keep down the weeds
• Mulch
• Compost and Amendments

Questions or Comments?

THANK YOU !

VCANO@IASTATE.EDU

SCCM@IASTATE.EDU

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