5 ways to enrich garden soil
<p>Healthier garden soil means healthier plants. It is the foundation of successful gardening and thus worth paying attention to.</p>
<p>Here are 5 ways you can enrich your garden soil.</p>
<p><strong>1. Spread grass</strong></p>
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<p>Grass clippings add nutrients as they decompose. They also provide shade, keeping roots cool and reducing water loss in hot weather.</p>
<p>Mix them with leaf litter or dig into the soil to avoid them forming a mat that will repel water.</p>
<div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.handyman.net.au/5-ways-enrich-garden-soil"><strong>2. Use manure</strong></div>
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<p>Cow manure improves soil micro-organisms and chicken manure, which is high in nitrogen and phosphorus, is great for the lawn and vegie patch.</p>
<p><strong>TIP:</strong><span> </span>Don’t use manure from carnivores, such as dogs and cats.</p>
<div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.handyman.net.au/5-ways-enrich-garden-soil"><strong>3. Lay straw</strong></div>
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<p>Lucerne hay and pea straw strengthen the soil, so they’re highly recommended. They also break down fairly quickly, which gives the soil a quick nutrient injection, and can be dug in to speed up the process.</p>
<div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.handyman.net.au/5-ways-enrich-garden-soil"><strong>4. Use bark</strong></div>
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<p>These mulches take longer to break down, so they don’t need applying as often.</p>
<p>They shade the soil, help retain moisture, repel weeds and look decorative, but don’t add many nutrients to the plants.</p>
<div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.handyman.net.au/5-ways-enrich-garden-soil"><strong>5. Add compost</strong></div>
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<p>A well-rounded source of goodness, compost allows water to penetrate the soil. It provides slow-release nutrients, attracts worms and encourages a healthy root system. Best of all, you can make it from kitchen scraps.</p>
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<p><em>Written by Handyman. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.handyman.net.au/5-ways-enrich-garden-soil"><em>Handyman</em></a><em>. </em></p>
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