HAVE you ever wondered why some plants in your garden thrive, while others barely grow no matter how tenderly they are nurtured? It may not come down to your green fingers, but to whether you have chosen the right plant for that spot.
Most people know they need to consider their local climate and how much sunshine any particular site gets. But you should also choose the right plant for your soil type, which depends on your area鈥檚 geology and history. You can find , but gardens can differ at a local level.
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A first step is to find out the soil pH, or how acidic or alkaline it is. You can buy simple test kits that enable you to scoop a small quantity of soil, mix it with a chemical and compare the resultant liquid to a colour chart. Most soils in the UK are neutral or very slightly acidic, and this allows a wide range of plants to grow.
If your soil is especially acidic or alkaline, you could theoretically change it by adding lime or iron sulphate respectively. But it is easier to just buy plants that suit your soil pH, and to use pots or raised beds if you have any favourite plants that need different conditions.
My own garden soil is slightly acidic, which may explain why alkaline-loving lavender plants have never done well there. I love azalea bushes for their gorgeous spring flowers, but they need even more acidic soil, so I grow them in pots of special compost.
Another factor that affects plant health is the size of the soil particles. Smaller grains, known as clay, hold more water, which can lead to plant roots getting waterlogged and means that the soil is harder to dig. Larger particles are called sand, and medium ones are called silt. Sandy soils are free-draining, but they can be less fertile since nutrients will get washed away much more easily.
While most soils have a mixture of particle sizes, you can find out which one predominates in your garden if you don鈥檛 mind getting your hands dirty.
Take a handful of soil, wet it and see whether you can form a ball, a sausage, a horseshoe or a ring without breaking it. .
You could also . But just knowing the pH and texture of your soil is probably enough when it comes to choosing plants. That said, nearly all types of garden soil will be improved by adding lashings of organic matter, such as home-made compost or well-rotted animal manure .
If this seems like too much work, a simple rule of thumb is to see which plants are growing well in your neighbours鈥� gardens. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
What you need
A soil pH test
A lump of soil
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