Bed PreParation: insurance for success 31
With proper soil preparation,
perennials thrive and flourish
for many years beyond the
first season. Here is the same
garden 2 years later with
no use of fertilizers or any
additional topdressing.phosphorus that assists in strong root growth in plants; it is 1 of the 3 basic
nutrients in fertilizers. Potash is a form of potassium that improves flowering
and fruiting.
You can test the soil yourself using soil testing kits, or send it to soil testing
labs or your county cooperative extension agency. These services can run various
tests on your existing soil as well as on your chosen soil amendment, and they
will make recommendations. Most soil tests are performed for field crops or
vegetable garden plots; be sure to specify that you’ll be growing herbaceous
perennial plants or ornamentals, so that you’ll receive the proper recommenda-
tions. It is also helpful to perform soil tests after the beds have been modified so
that you can see the results.