2. The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard
by which gardeners and growers can determine which
plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is
based on the average annual minimum winter
temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.
3. SOIL CONSIDERATIONS
tilth: suitability of a soil
to support plant growth,
includes consistency of
the soil
AERATION & MOISTURE
TO IMPROVE TILTH WE USE:
SOIL AMENDMENTS
fertilization: addition
of soil nutrients to
support crop growth
MACRO & MICRONUTRIENTS
TO IMPROVE NUTRIENT CONTENT
IN SOIL WE USE:
FERTILIZERS
4. What Type of Soil Do You Have?
CLAY SOIL
Biggest Concern is AERATION
SANDY SOIL
Biggest Concern is MOISTURE
SOIL AMENDMENTS
PEAT
COMPOST
MANURE
WORM CASTINGS
VERMICULITE
PERLITE
BIOCHAR
5. How to Amend Your Soil
Container Gardening
★ Amend a regular soil with approximately 10% additives
Ground Gardening
★ Rake and till amendments 6-8 inches into the topsoil
★ Don’t leave chunks, distribute evenly
★ Best time to apply is after last harvest in late Fall or Early
Spring
(BOTH ARE DEPENDENT ON WHAT YOU GROW AND THE PLANT’S SPECIFIC NEEDS)
ONION, GARLIC, LETTUCE, PEAS, RADISHES
are cold hardy veggies you can plant in March in CO!!
6.
7.
8. FERTILIZATION: guarantees fresh supply of nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, and additional micro/macronutrients to
soil where these nutrients have been naturally depleted
➔ GET YOUR SOIL TESTED TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF
DEFICIENCIES YOU MAY HAVE… ONLY $35 AT CSU!!!
➔ BEFORE A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PREMISE MAY BE
LANDSCAPED, PROPERTY OWNERS MUST AMEND THEIR
SOIL AND PASS A DENVER WATER SOIL AMENDMENT
INSPECTION
MACRONUTRIENTS- Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sulfur, Magnesium
MICRONUTRIENTS- Boron, Chlorine, Manganese, Iron, Zinc,
