How to Amend Dry & Sandy Soil

Dry and sandy soil is not a healthy choice for a flower and vegetable garden. This type of soil will not provide nutrients to the plants or retain sufficient water to sustain adequate growth rates. Before you plant a garden, you should apply soil amendments to ensure that the soil provides water and nutrients at an appropriate pH for the plants. A soil test before you begin will guide the application of the soil amendments for a successful garden.

Soil test results
Organic matter
Fertilizer
Lime or sulfur, optional
Rototiller or shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Place a layer of organic matter evenly over the garden area to increase moisture retention in the soil. Add a 2.5 cubic yards of organic matter to amend a 200-square-foot garden to a depth of 4 inches. These measurements can be adjusted based on the depth of the amended needed and the size of the garden.
- 2
  Spread fertilizer over the garden area to add nutrients to the soil. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for fertilizer amounts depending on the results of your soil analysis. If you do not have an analysis, use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10.
- 3
  Place lime or sulfur over the bed to raise or lower the soil pH, respectively. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended amount for your soil. Adjust the pH to the proper range for the plants that you want to install.
- 4
  Mix the organic matter, fertilizer, lime or sulfur into the soil using a rototiller or by hand digging, if the area is small.

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