In gardening, everything starts with healthy soil. You can have that perfect soil by mixing in the right amendments like compost to create a soil that is just right for roots to get through and excess water to drain through yet enough water and oxygen and nutrients that all plants need will still be there. Healthy soil in San Diego CA will support bacteria and fungi that is beneficial to the environment as well as supporting earthworms which work wonders to promote healthy plant life.
The first step to creating the perfect soil in San Diego CA is to know when you will be preparing it. If you are just starting a garden in the spring, then you will want to till up the top 8” to 12” of soil using a rotary tiller. You can rent one at your local lawn and garden center, and they are easy to use and affordable to rent. After you have tilled, hand remove all rocks bigger than the size of a peach seed and then spread out a good 3” layer of compost over your area. Till once again. Once you’ve done this, water the plot — don’t drown it– and let the soil rest for a few days before you begin planting.
You will want to enrich your soil by adding nutrients each season. Nutrients such as compost tea (a brew made by steeping a compost bag of burlap) is an excellent way to reduce pathogens in the soil and increase the microbial life in the soil. Compost tea can be found at lawn and garden centers or by shopping online.
When the fall arrives, use cover crops to protect your soil. Using plants as peas and fava beans will add nitrogen to the soil and help with the soil in San Diego CA texture. Cover crops is also called green manure and it also helps with water penetration and supporting earthworm or other organisms. They also create an environment for many beneficial insects.
When the following spring arrives, till up the cover crop– don’t use a tiller this time as the plants will get tied up in the tiller’s blades. You can also cut or mow the cover crop if you’d like. After a few days, till the soil again and allow the soil in San Diego CA to sit and breathe for a few days. After all of that, it is finally time to plant.
