Much of Southern Idaho’s soil is subjected to a high desert, semi-arid climate, so it seems pretty obvious that Treasure Valley gardeners would need to worry the most about watering when it comes to soil health, right? Well, sure…
The health of your soil goes much deeper than the amount of water you give, however. It would take a while to dive into the depths of biodiversity, ecosystems, and the molecular world, so we wanted to provide a quick snapshot. A “soil health for dummies” type of guide, if you will!
First things first, it is important to understand how soil works.
Nutrient Cycling
Soil likes to hold onto and release different kinds of nutrients in a continuous cycle. If the soil is lacking in some key nutrients, it can have a profound effect on the quality of what you’re growing; this is especially worth noting if you are trying to get a decent yield of fruits or vegetables from your garden! Although cause and effect can tell you whether your soil is lacking, a more immediate way to know before your plants come out puny is to test the soil beforehand. This is important for knowing precisely what you need to “feed” your soil to help boost production this year.
Learn more about soil testing here: How To Test Nutrients In Soil – GardenerBible
Watering…How Much? How Often? Help!
Ah yes, the age-old question. How often and how much should I be watering my garden? The answer will differ depending on lots of variables, like local climate, sun exposure, and the individual needs of your plant. For our region, it is important to remember that we are prone to more drought and dry heat during the summer months so you will need to adjust your watering for changes in the weather too.
Generally, you will want to water your plants in tandem with what the weather provides. Assuming you have a warm week with absolutely no rainfall (not an uncommon occurrence here!), you may want to give that soil a good watering at least 4 days out of the week. At the end of the day, though, the specific plants that you have planted, and their individual needs, are the best determinate for watering frequency.
Bonus Tip: In the summer, we recommend watering your plants in the evening to conserve that delightful moisture and avoid a lot of it evaporating in the heat of the day.
Learn about some watering methods in the Treasure Valley here: Idaho Growin’: Watering your Garden
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is great! We recommend it. You should pay attention to the time you add it. Adding fertilizer about 2 weeks or so after initially planting your seed starts is a great choice. There are a lot of different kinds of fertilizer out there, so if you have questions you should chat with our experts here at the Garden Center! We have different kinds of soil available too, so you can add exactly what you want to your raised beds and planters and feel good about the intentionality and care you put into your garden project.
We hope this overview is helpful. The Franz Witte Garden Center can supply all the tools, expertise, soil, and even some seeds and seed starting essentials for you so come visit us if you need a good place to start.
Happy planting!