Healthy Roots: Healthy Shoots

There was a book I read a long while back that changed the way I thought about soil--it was Healthy Garden Healthy You by Milo Shammas. In addition to is being a great vegetable plant resource, is a book about the integral relationship of soil fungi, nutrients, plant health, and human health.

One of the top take-aways for me was that robust root systems are essential for healthy new growth, flowering and fruiting. So much of that depends on what your soil quality, soil composition and microbial activity has going for it. Is the soil sandy, loamy or clay? Does it drain well? Does it hold moisture? Is it "hot" with decomposing materials or is it devoid of living organisms? These are but a few of the questions I ask. Some of these questions can be answered by taking a soil sample to your local Extension Office.

Generally, we make our own soil blend with different composts to bolster the beneficial microbes. We add in a good organic fertilizer that needs to be broken down for around a month when we prep for the season so make sure your beds are pre-prepped for the growing season.

We always starts our plants with a liquid feed. This is the year we started using Dr. Earth's Pump and Grow with most of our watering. This fertilizer is gentle and packed with mycorrhizae and essential elements needed for development such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These major nutrients are vital for early growth, development of stems and leaves, and overall plant health.

But they are not the only needed nutrients for immature plant success. Also needed are sulfur, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iron and zinc. Look for these elements when purchasing a premium fertilizer. A good fertilzer, though more expensive will help your soil to conserve water, move nutrients to your plants more efficiently, will help stave off disease and utilize sugars better.