Gardening? Start with a good soil as foundation

There are many things that go into making your garden a success. One of the most important is your soil, which is the foundation of any garden. Just as no building can stand without a good, solid foundation, the soil in your garden is sometimes more important than any plants you add to the
garden.
If you are scratching your head and asking why, then you need to remember that all those plants get nutrients from your ground as well as ventilation, protection and moisture.
The South is home these days to many transplanted families from across the country. When they step outside to garden, be it flowers, shrubs or vegetables, they are in for a rude awakening.
Try stepping into the yard to plant something. You might be stunned when the shovel won't even break the dirt. Southern soil is like cement.
"Soils in the Piedmont of South Carolina typically contain very small particles, otherwise known as clay," said George Dickert, Spartanburg County horticultural extension agent. "It is recommended to add organic matter to the soil to improve the physical properties as well as increase drainage."
Typical Southern soil is hard red clay. The extreme summer heat bakes the ground into cement. The red clay soil base tends to clump together without retaining water, so it needs some soil amendments.
When it comes to gardening, there are about as many opinions as there are plants available. One of the most standard soil amending techniques is common knowledge among gardeners. Upon examining the area needed to amend, add one-third peat moss or compost, one-third sand (any kind, builder or play) and then one-third existing soil or red clay that is already on the ground. Then till up the ground about 8 to 10 inches deep. Consider this a very simple formula that will produce soil that can grow flowers, shrubs, plants, and vegetables.
When it comes to vegetable gardening, master gardener Joe Maple is an expert.
At 83, Maple is going strong each and every year. He has taught more than 1,000 master gardeners the right way to grow plants. He has been tending his vegetable garden in the same spot for 22 years.
"Soil is the life of the garden," he said.
And he thinks anyone starting out should always have their soil tested by the Clemson Extension Service, at 142 S. Dean St., Suite 216 in Spartanburg. The cost is $6, and you can take a pint of soil down to the office. If you do it now, it will take two to three weeks to get the results. Clemson will tell you what to add to the soil and will give you the PH of the soil.