Corona's Principles of Planting

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Armed with the broad knowledge
of your soil type, climate zone, and
a plant’s light needs, the next most
signifi cant principle is to be familiar
with the condition of the garden.
Gardening, remember, is not an exact
science: Many plants have a specifi c cultural preference
while others are adaptable and can be happy just about
anywhere you place them.
It Starts with Soil
Soil pH is a key piece of information to have about
your site. Referring to the scale of measurement, it
indicates the degree to which the soil is acid, alkaline,
or neutral; 6.8 to 7 is “near neutral”. Above that, the
higher the number, the more acidic the soil. There
are easy-to-use testing kits available for home use,
or you can send a sample for testing to your local
horticultural county extension agency.
A soil is characterized by the parent material, climate,
topography, time, vegetation, and cultivation. Its
texture is determined by the relative amount of
variously sized particles: sand, silt, and clay. These
traits are unlikely to change signifi cantly from year
to year unless you import soil from outside the
garden area. Soil structure, how these particles are
arranged and grouped, infl uences porosity, water
holding capacity, drainage, and gas exchange.
When to Test
It’s always a good idea to test the soil in a new
garden, and for any area where plants are not growing
well. Never add lime or sulfur to adjust the pH without
fi rst testing your soil. This can compound a problem.
A soil test provides a snapshot of the soil at a given
moment in time. If you make major changes to the soil,
such as adjusting the pH, annual tests are advisable
to track the changes.
KNOW YOUR SITE
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