Gardening secrets: How to turn your soil into a vegetable paradise!

Gardening secrets: How to turn your soil into a vegetable paradise!

Jörg Heiß's allotment garden in Weimar is not just a place for cultivation, but a source of health and well-being. Hot has been cultivating vegetables for 10 years now and is convinced of the positive effects that gardening has on the body, mind and soul. Supported by Martin Krumbein, an expert in vegetable cultivation at the Horticulture Teaching and Experimental Center in Erfurt, the two of them compiled their knowledge and experiences in a book that even made it onto the Spiegel bestseller list. For their work they received the German Garden Book Prize, recognized as the best beginner's guide. They also document these successes in the TV series “Hot on Vegetables Special”, which gives a deep insight into their findings over the last ten years, as MDR reports.

In each episode of the series, the two deal with specific topics related to the vegetable garden. This includes, among other things, improving soil quality, building raised beds and greenhouses, and properly caring for plants. Jörg Heiß himself also has a relaxation garden in the Thuringian Forest where he charges his batteries on the weekends. With the support of Cornelia Pacalaj, another garden expert, he takes care of beautifying his garden on the steep, rocky southern slope. The first episode of the series is dedicated to the beginnings of Heiß’s garden and the efforts to improve the quality of the soil.

The challenge of soil quality

A central point in gardening is soil quality, which not only influences the growth of plants, but also their health. Heiß remembers well the first steps when he began inventorying, analyzing and planning his sticky and low-productivity garden soil. To improve soil quality, various methods are crucial. A detailed soil analysis helps to determine the pH value and nutrient content, as Samen also states.

Effective natural soil improvers such as compost and mulch are essential for the long-term health of the soil. They promote soil life and ensure that plants are supplied with the necessary nutrients. The aim of soil improvement is to optimize the structure of the soil, adjust the pH and increase fertility. Jörg Heiß had already experimented with methods such as adding sand, horse manure and compost to achieve a mineral and organic improvement in his garden soil.

The way to a healthy vegetable garden

For a successful vegetable garden, a few steps must be followed, which are also recommended by Gartennetz:

• Bodenanalyse: Bestimmung von pH-Wert und Nährstoffzusammensetzung, um gezielte Maßnahmen zu ergreifen.
• Bodenbearbeitung: Der Boden sollte vorsichtig gelockert werden, um die Struktur zu erhalten.
• Organische Düngung: Kompost verbessert die Struktur und versorgt die Pflanzen mit Nährstoffen.
• Mulchen: Haltefeuchtigkeit und unterdrücke Unkräuter durch organische Materialien.
• Fruchtwechsel und Mischkultur: Abwechselnder Anbau hilft, den Boden gesund zu halten.

Healthy soil is the foundation of every vegetable garden. The combination of active microorganisms, nutrient supply and gentle processing ultimately leads to full vitality, good growth and a rich harvest. So if you take soil care into your own hands, you can look forward to a colorful and tasty harvest, true to the motto: “Good soil is the key to garden success!”