Are you planning to start gardening on the North Island of New Zealand? Have you any idea about soil health ideal for gardening and lawn care in this specific area? If not, you are at the right place. Read the post and discover the soil health needed for gardening. In addition, you’ll learn how to improve soil quality in Taranaki.

Generally, all plants need water, air and healthy soil to grow. For maintaining a healthy lawn or a garden, the soil should contain microbes, soil fungi, earthworms and organic matter. However, there should be a check and balance of these essential factors responsible for soil health. Too much air helps organic matter decompose quickly, but too much water can rot the plant roots and prevent respiration. In short, some soils are more suitable for growing plants and establishing a lawn than others.

Type Of Soil You Need For Gardening in North Island NZ

If you don’t consider the health of garden soil before planting, your efforts will be at risk of going to waste.

The soil in Taranaki is formed from volcanic pumice showers since it’s located in the volcanic plateau. Until the early 1900s, farming was impossible on this land due to cobalt deficiency. Later the problem was solved, and the larger areas of this land were converted to pastures. Pumice soil has well-developed organic topsoil over the sandy subsoil.

Residential soils differ from commercial soil, and it depends on the parent rock from which it is formed. It also depends on your area’s climate and previous owners' work on the soil. Some soils are fertile, while you can improve others with proper knowledge and effort.  

Here’s the type of soil you need for gardening in North Island in NZ:

Acidic Soil: The soil in most areas of New Zealand is slightly acidic. Most plants prefer acidic soil with an optimum pH ranging between 5.5 to 6.5. At the same time, worms avoid strongly acidic soils, but microorganisms love acidic soils.  However, if you want to grow plants that prefer alkaline soil, adding lime can raise the soil pH.

The soil pH is responsible for the solubility and availability of minerals to the plants. You can use a soil pH testing kit from garden centres to check it. If the pH ranges from 0-7, it’s acidic. It means acidic soils may be deficient in phosphorus. The soil pH of 7 to 14 indicates alkaline soil that may lack iron and manganese.

Loamy Soil: A good quality soil can drain excess water and retain nutrients and water for the plants. Basically, there are three types of soils; sandy, clay and loamy. Sandy soil drained water instantly and is not ideal for your garden. Clay soil has the smallest particles that stick together and block air supply to plants' roots. However, you can improve it by adding organic matter. Loamy soil is the best for gardening since it holds nutrients and allows air and water to pass through it.

Rich In Organic Matter: The fertility and success of your garden depend on the quantity of organic matter present in the soil. If you continuously cultivate annual flowers or vegetable beds, you have to add organic matter to the soil from time to time. Topsoil is ideal for planting and is already rich in organic matter.

Soil pH value will determine if your soil is high in acidity or alkalinity. You can take samples of your soil and get this assessed for free. Go to https://soilsafe.auckland.ac.nz/soil-testing/ for more information on how to collect and send off your sample. 

How Do You Know The Type Of Soil In Your Garden?

Most beginner gardeners have no idea about the type of soil in the garden. You can use the mentioned methods to find out your garden soil.

Hole Digging Method: Topsoil is the most healthy soil for plants to thrive. Unfortunately, erosion is a major issue with the lands in New Zealand that washes the topsoil.  If the topsoil is removed, you’ll need to replace it make amendments before planting. 

●     Dig a hole in your garden about twice the depth of a spade.

●     If you notice a darker layer on the top, it’s the topsoil.

●     The stiff layer underneath is the subsoil. Usually, subsoil is rich in organic matter but structurally poor.

●     If you notice a reddish-brown layer just below the surface, it’s the hardpan. Before gardening, you have to break it up using a digging fork since it will block the roots and prevent water drainage.

●     Grey or smelly soil is waterlogged soil. Plants can’t survive in such soil. Therefore, you should dig it to the level of hardpan and punch holes to allow air and water passage.

Glass Jar Method: This method is used to identify the soil type.

●     Fill a glass jar with water and add some soil to it from your garden.

●     Shake the jar and let it rest for 2 to 3 hours.

●     The sand and stones will settle down at the bottom.

●     The organic matter will settle at the top of the bottom layer.

●     The clear water on the top shows that you have sandy soil.

●     Clay soil shows muddy water on the top.

You can also identify the sandy or clay soil by holding it in your hand. Sandy soil feels gritty and falls apart. Clay soil becomes compact on holding. Loamy soil holds its shape on grabbing but falls if you poke it. It’s the best soil for planting.

How Do You Improve Soil Quality NZ?

Humus is the best soil improver that contains nutrients and feeds microorganisms. No matter what type of soil you have, layering on compost, organic matter, chopped seaweed, and aged animal manure can improve the soil quality.

Firstly, you should identify the soil type in your garden, then follow these tips to improve soil health for gardening in New Zealand.

Sandy Soil Improvement: Add organic matter and mulch heavily to increase sandy soil's water and nutrient holding capacity. You should use slow-release fertilisers such as bone or organic blood. Avoid digging the sandy soil. Dig only if necessary. Also, don’t walk over the wet sandy soil after incorporating organic matter.

 

Clay Soil Improvement: You should use grit or coarse sand to improve the water drainage properties of clay soil. Avoid using fine sand since it blocks the soil pores. You can also add gypsum or lime but not every year. Add a 10 to 20 cm layer of topsoil rich in organic matter and grow whatever you want.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning to start a garden in Taranaki, identify your garden's soil. Check the soil pH and make amendments accordingly. You can plant right away if the topsoil is rich in organic matter. However, clay and sandy soil need improvements before planting. Ensure that the soil has good water and nutrient holding capacity.