Deep Digging

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 17

Deep Digging

gOME people find it difficult to understand why it is first insisted that all ground should be dug deeply, loosening the earth and breaking up all compressed lumps and then, when it conies to planting, it is urged that the .soil shall bo pressed or trodden (irmly about the roots. The most important poin u about digging is that it facilitates the free passage of water from the upper to the lower part. Thus the top soil is Jess likely to become saturated and puddled during prolonged periods of rain. Moreover, the water that soaks down can rise again as vapour when the top is dried and heated by the sun. Thus the necessary moisture is provided for the plant roots when otherwise they would sillier thirst. The second benefit is that disturbing and loosening the soil admits air which has a sweetening effect on ground which for a period lias been too close for air percolation. Ground dug in autumn will have settled down to a reasonably firm condition by winter rains, but any disturbance immediately prior to planting will introduce more air than is favourable to root action. By pressing or treading the soil about the roots, air is driven out from between roots and soil facilitates formation of new roots which would perish quickly if they entered hollow places between rough lumps.