Secret Of Successful Horticulture

The secret of successful horticulture is to be at peace with your garden. Individual plants have different requirements. Some plants require direct sunlight, others shade; some need damp conditions whilst others require a well-drained soil. Many plants, such as the birch, are tolerant of a range of chemical conditions, whilst others are sensitive to the least change in the chemical environment (such as those alpines whose leaves turn yellow as a result of a small amount of alkali being leached out of the limestone of a rockery). It is not in the least necessary to possess a deep knowledge of science to garden successfully, and many people who lack a formal education have mastered the art of horticulture.

Invariably, they received their skills passed down by word of mouth from the previous generation - father to son and mother to daughter. In today's com­petitive world it is a sad fact that parents no longer attach importance to passing on gardening skills, even where they possess them. Moreover, whereas former generations tended to settle in the area in which they were brought up, where they would be familiar with the soil and climate, the greater mobility of labor has meant that today's young householders may find themselves in an environment far removed from that of their youth. However, anyone can achieve a reasonable degree of success, even without any previous experience of the subject, as long as he understands some of the fundamental principles which govern gardening. 

Acids, Alkalis and pH 

There are several different types of acids and alkalis and they differ very much in their action. For example, acetic and sulfuric are both acids, but, while sulfuric acid is so strong that it will burn the skin, acetic acid can be taken into the body (usually in the form of vinegar). As the strength of both acids and alkalis can also vary, scientists have come up with a scale that simultaneously compares both the amount and the strength of the acids and alkalis present - the pH scale.  

Water (the universal neutral substance) is given the value 7, and anything with a value below this is an acid, while those substances with the value above it are alkalis. The full range is from 0 to 14, but you will rarely encounter conditions far removed from the central values. The range in which plants grow well is very limited - from about 5.5 to 8.5 - but it must be remembered that a decrease of 1.0 pH unit corresponds to a tenfold increase in acidity, and an increase of 1.0 pH unit represents a tenfold increase in alkalinity (or reduction in acidity). 

The pH of any soil may be tested using an acid testing kit, obtainable from most garden centers. This consists of a collection of dyes, blended to give a super dye which is very sensitive to changes in pH. The dye is added to a sample of water with which the soil has been shaken, and it produces a color which is then compared with a standard color chart provided. In this way, the acidity or alkalinity is indicated. The accuracy of the test will depend upon the care with which the sample of soil was collected. It is possible to obtain completely wrong results for the garden as a whole if just one sample is taken from one area - the conditions in that area may not be typical of the garden in general.  

You should, therefore, take samples at evenly distributed distances throughout the whole area of the garden, at a depth of 2-6in (5-15cm), and mix all of the soil together thoroughly. Allow the soil to fall into a heap, split the heap into four and take the two diagonally opposing quarters, discarding the remainder. Thoroughly mix the portion that you have retained and again reduce its volume to a half using the same method. Continue the process until you have a sample of the size required to perform the test. In this way you will have a truly representative sample that will give you an accurate result for your garden as a whole. 

Soil may also be tested to establish the level of certain elements, particularly potassium (potash) and phosphorus (phosphate). This is generally not necessary, and need not be attempted as a routine test before planning the garden. You will, however, have to employ such tests should the plants fail to grow or if they are seen to suffer from severe stunted growth.