Soil Preparation for Native Plants

Because many wonderful native species are being introduced from the wild, the interest in growing natives is at an all time high. The many years of experience growing native plants in my New Mexico gardens have taught me the importance of understanding th

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  • Topics: Native Plants, Soil
  • Author: David Salman
  • Keywords: soil, preparation, ammending, mulch, native plants
  • Date: February 2006

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Because many wonderful native species are being introduced from the wild, the interest in growing natives is at an all time high. The many years of experience growing native plants in my New Mexico gardens have taught me the importance of understanding the relationship between soil and plant.

Success with native plants comes from putting the right plant in the right soil, and only planting different species together when they have matching soil preferences.

The Theory

Some native plants are clay lovers and will languish in sandy or rocky soils. Conversely, plants that love very fast draining, nutrient-poor sandy or gravel soils quickly fail in clay. Rich, moisture retentive Mid-western prairie loam soils are often “too much of a good thing” for many western native plants that are found in very infertile (“lean”), fast draining soils.

Identify Your Soil

Identify the type of soil that predominates in your yard and look for native plants that grow best in that soil type. When dealing with soil conditions in your yard, it is much easier to select plants that are compatible to your native soil than it is to change the soil to meet the needs of the plants.

The same holds true for soil pH; over the long term, it is completely impractical to change an alkaline soil to an acid one and vice versa. However, to expand the range of native plants that you grow in your garden, it is feasible to create small areas of sandy soil or clay soil or rich, loamy soil. This is best accomplished by building berms using a specific soil mix or constructing raised beds and filling them with a specific soil mix.

Amending Soils

I strongly recommend amending the soil at planting time as this will enhance the garden performance of native plants. After all, we expect more from plants growing in our garden than we do from plants growing in their uncultivated wild habitat. After this initial bit of pampering at planting time, I use additional fertilizers sparingly, and only in the fall.

I use two basic recipes to amend the soil at planting time. Use the recommended rates listed on the bag labels for each ingredient.

  • To plant Xeric perennials: these plants like “lean” (low fertility), fast draining soils. Avoid planting into clay, clay loam or heavy loam type soils (unless, like Callirhoe, it is the plant’s preferred native soil). Sandy or gravel soils, sandy loam and sandy clay soils are the best for providing adequate drainage. Amend the bed or individual planting holes with Yum Yum Mix, Soil Mender® Humate and Earth Magic® micorrihzal root inoculants. Mulch with crushed gravel or pine needles.
  • To plant native “hardy garden perennials;” these natives like moister, richer, more nutrient-rich soils. When planting into “lean” soils add plenty of high quality compost like Soil Mender® Blend along with Yum Yum Mix, Soil Mender® Humate and Earth Magic micorrihzal root inoculants. Mulch with organic mulches such as coarse compost, shredded leaves and composted bark.

Making sure you match the right soil with the right plant will enhance not only your garden but your overall gardening experience. It will be much more successful.