When it comes to growing a garden in Maine, short cool seasons aren’t the only thing you need to worry about. Typically, flowers and vegetables require organic- rich soil that drains well. How well soil drains may seem like a mystery – but armed with an old juice can and a spade, you can easily assess your soil’s drainage.
- Cut the ends off a 46-ounce juice can. Remove the wrapper and rinse the can under running water to remove any residue from the juice.
- Dig a hole with a spade or garden fork to the height of the can.
- Insert the can into the soil and fill in around the sides with soil. Pack the soil tightly to secure the can.
- Fill the can with water. Observe the water as it drains into the soil and note its level after one hour.
A drainage rate of less than one inch indicates slow drainage and is likely to cause issues with soggy soil in the spring or after rains.
A rate of more than 4 inches an hour means your soil drains too quickly and will leave your plants starved for water.
A drainage rate of two inches is considered ideal for gardens in Maine.
To correct either slow draining or quick draining soil, add plenty of organic matter to the existing soil. Although it seems like a paradox, organic matter improves the structure and aeration of heavy soils and adds improves the wall-holding capacity of sandy or rocky soils.
UC Davis suggests an alternate method of digging a hole to a depth of one foot. Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain into the surrounding soil. Refill the hole with water and measure the rate of drainage after one hour. Although this method may sound easier, measuring the water drainage may be a bit more difficult.
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