All soils are not created equal. Chances are, the soil in the area where you are planning to build your garden is not suitable for the type of plant you are preparing to grow. Often Alabama soils contain too much clay or sand, are low in organic matter and are poorly drained.

Soils high in clay content tend to hold water, have poor drainage and compact easily. Roots have a difficult time growing in the type of medium and will often drown or rot.

Sandy soils drain more readily, but even these, too, can compact easily if they contain the slightest bit of clay. Sandy soils cannot hold water or nutrients; therefore, plants grown in this type of soil are likely to be thirsty and starved.

Some gardeners may be tempted to mix sand with clay to improve the soil conditions. However, a little clay will bind the sand particles and form a material similar to concrete. The ideal solution is to add plenty of organic matter to the soil. A few examples of organic matter are peat moss, manure, pine bark, rotting leaves and compost.

Soil testing is the best way to know exactly what to add to your soil and takes some of the guesswork out of gardening. While some garden centers offer quick, do-it-yourself home soil test kits, a more professional test calibrated for Alabama soils, plants and climate can be performed at Auburn University's Soil Testing Lab. These tests will clarify whether the soil is acidic or basic, and depending on the plants to be grown, what to do to change the pH.

The soil test also will report any nutrient deficiencies and the exact amounts of fertilizer or lime to correct for these shortages.

Organic matter and mulches are always in order for Alabama soils. Our relatively warm, moist climate combined with soil tillage encourages soil organic matter to rapidly decompose, and we have to constantly add more to improve soil drainage, increase water-holding capacity, and to make the soil crumbly.

To prepare soils for perennials, combine one part compost, peat or pine bark with two parts of the existing soil. Add recommended ground limestone and fertilizer as specified by the soil test. Finally, mulch the ingredients with 3 or more inches of pine or cypress bark. Pine needles, straw and leaves also make excellent mulches.

Whether you are growing flowers, vegetables or perennials, following these suggestions will help produce a better garden. And repeating these practices annually will ensure continued soil and plant improvements.

Source: Dr. Charles C. Mitchell, Jr., Extension Agronomist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-5489.