Soil preparation advice from DFW experts

Now that it is officially spring, our thoughts turn to pretty flowers and vibrant landscapes, but the groundwork for creating a showstopping usually involves a few down-and-dirty to-dos. So we asked area horticulture experts to share some thoughts about what gardeners should do now to prepare beds for a great growing season? Here is their advice for green thumbs — and those who would like to be.

Go organic

“Spring is almost always a season of color, and people usually plant seasonal color — annuals — but seasonal flowers only last a short period of the growing season, and sometimes are even more short-lived due to improper soil preparation. ... We typically have a decent amount of rainfall during spring in North Texas, and a lot of the name-brand soils retain too much moisture during March and April, causing overwatering and root rot.

“To achieve the best results and get the most life out of your seasonal color, prepare your garden or pots with an organic garden or potting soil. Prepare this soil to about a 6- to 8-inch depth, and fertilize using a high-phosphorus fertilizer. Phosphorus is a key ingredient in root and fruit (blooms) production, and will ensure healthy roots and beautiful blooms for your springtime color. So, use an organic potting or garden soil, and don’t overwater.”

— Daniel Zipperlen, owner/head landscape designer, Zip’s Landscaping, Keller

Mulch — but not too much

“The most important thing that homeowners can do in the spring is to apply wood mulch. A 3-inch layer of mulch applied to flower beds, shrubs and trees will help conserve water, prevent weeds and keep roots cool in the summer heat. Be sure to leave about a foot between tree and shrub trunks and the mulch. This prevents hidden trunk damage from fungus, insects or disease. Please don’t create ‘mulch volcanoes.’ Two mulch applications, spring and fall, will keep your landscape happy and thriving.”

— Virginia Williams, manager, Blooming Colors Nursery & Landscaping Ltd., Grapevine

Happy shale

“What I have done over the years is amend my heavy clay soils in this area with two things, organic compost and expanded shale. The organic compost will add nutrients over the growing season and make it easier for roots to grow in and optimize healthy growth of my plants.

“The expanded shale does two key things for plant roots. The pores of the shale provide both air and water pockets for healthy root growth and helps drainage of excess water. I don’t plant anything in my yard without the expanded shale and consider it one of the key elements to my success as a gardener. And I have one of the best, award-winning rose gardens in the area.”

— Mike Becker, horticulturalist, Calloway’s Nursery, Hurst

Soil solutions

“This time of year, the one thing I preach is soil preparation. If you are just about anywhere in Tarrant County, you are challenged with a yard full of ‘unimproved clay soil.’ ... So, here are two key words for you: soil amendments. Decomposed pine bark, manure, organic compost, bagged garden soil, peat moss, even grass clippings and leaves from your trees in the fall can be added to improve your soil.

“They break up the densely compacted clay particles and provide drainage and air pockets for healthy new root growth. For best results, add 3 inches of decomposed pine bark, 3 inches of organic compost and 3 inches of bagged garden soil. Spread evenly across the freshly turned clay soil and begin the mixing process.

“For the best results, borrow, rent or buy a gas-powered tiller. This will do the best job of breaking up the heavy clay particulates while thoroughly mixing the soil amendments into your newly created soil.”

— Ed Tavender, nursery manager, Fossil Creek Tree Farm, Nursery and Landscape Co., Fort Worth

Replenish beds

“Successful gardening is 90 percent bed preparation. In other words, it’s all about the soil. Organic methods take advantage of this fact by making the soil as healthy as possible. So your most important task is to replenish your beds.

“Start by working in these top five soil amendments: compost, expanded shale, green sand, lava sand and Mycorrhizal fungi. No matter what you are trying to grow, these ingredients will help aerate your soil, improve moisture retention and provide vital micro- and macro-nutrients — the essential foundation your plants need to thrive in our brutal Texas climate.”

— Joyce Connelly, owner, Marshall Grain Company, Grapevine

This story was originally published March 22, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Soil preparation advice from DFW experts."