Do I need to amend my soil?

Generally speaking, most soils are not optimal for your plants to thrive. Over the years, we’ve learned that many soils lack diverse biology, structure, carbon, air, and certain minerals. Giving your plants the best start with some upfront amendments can go a long way toward rebuilding your soil and helping your plants thrive.

Your fruit trees will treat you as well as you treat them!

The Ultimate Silver Creek Nursery Planting Day Amendment Strategy

(Approximately $35–$55 per tree)

  1. Mix 1 Tbsp of Root Rescue and 300–500 mL of Crooked Farmz Compost Tea with 20 L of non-chlorinated water, and soak the plant roots for 30 minutes. (Optional: add 200 mL of Terra Biosa).
  2. Remove sod in a 1.5 m circle, loosen the soil, and dig the planting hole. See planting instructions for more detail.
  3. Apply GRO BioDiverse Compost (11–22 L) to the surface after planting, and work it in gently.
  4. Incorporate 250–500 mL each of Wollastonite, Basalt - Huplaso, and Soft Rock Phosphate, plus 125 mL of Azomite. Mix these with the compost and cover with mulch.
  5. Woodchip mulch: Apply 4–6 inches of wood chips over the compost, making sure to pull the mulch away from the trunk. Consider living mulches like Comfrey as well.
  6. Water in with the remaining water from the soak pail (Step 1). Splash some over the roots before backfilling the hole so the root rescue get in the root zone.

This strategy is a long-term investment. Topping up mulch (about once a year) and applying compost teas or extracts (2–3 times per year) are likely the only yearly soil inputs needed after that. Rock dusts should last about 5–10 years, and Root Rescue is a one-and-done application.

You should also consider using holistic sprays and following Michael Phillips’ timing and recipes as part of an ongoing program for clean fruit. You can omit the Terra Biosa mentioned above, as you will be applying it to the tree and the soil through your spray program. More Holistic Spray Info Here

The Budget Silver Creek Nursery Planting Amendment Strategy

(Approximately $8 per tree)

Same general Instructions as above but only with:

  1. Root Rescue Same rate and application method as above.
  2. Soft Rock Phosphate 250mL to 500ml of Soft Rock Phosphate following step 4 application methods above. Make sure to cover it with mulch.
  3. GRO BioDiverse Compost  1–2 L of high-quality compost applied directly in the root zone.
  4. Woodchip mulch: Apply 4–6 inches of wood chips over the sod free planting area, making sure to pull the mulch away from the trunk. Consider living mulches like Comfrey as well.

You could also:

  • add DIY compost tea or extract made from good compost
  • add a small handful of wood ash from your wood stove mixed with compost (be careful wood ash is highly alkaline only apply to the surface of the soil with some compost to help digest it)
  • create fermented plant juices or water extractions from weeds
  • cultivate IMOs
    There are a lot of free DIY options if you have the time to and materials (often free weeds, extra fruit, leaves, etc.) to do it.

The Bare Minimum Silver Creek Nursery Planting Amendment Strategy

(Approximately $3 per tree)

Same general Instructions as above but only with:

  1. Root Rescue Even just adding Root Rescue will give your plant a great chance to partner with mycorrhizal fungi, which will mine the nutrients already in your soil.
  2. Woodchip mulch: Apply 4–6 inches of wood chips over the sod free planting area, making sure to pull the mulch away from the trunk. Consider living mulches like Comfrey as well.

 

This planting guidance is designed for general Canadian soil conditions and will not cover every situation. In extreme cases, additional or different amendments may be needed, and plants requiring unusual pH levels are not specifically addressed here. Always do your own soil test and consult your local agricultural advisor and organic certifier to ensure this approach fits your specific requirements.

Video coming soon!