Garden care10 min read
A beginner's guide to healthy, fertile soil all year round
Healthy soil means healthy plants — here is where to start.
Gardenia maintenance team · 12 June 2026
Know what you are working with
Most local gardens sit on sandy, alkaline soil that drains fast and holds few nutrients. Mixing in compost each season builds structure and keeps moisture where roots can reach it.
Feed the soil, not just the plant
Slow-release organic fertilisers feed soil life, which in turn feeds your plants for months. Fast chemical feeds give a quick flush of growth and then wash away.
- Add 5cm of compost to beds every spring and autumn.
- Avoid digging established beds — it breaks up healthy soil structure.
- Test pH once a year; most plants prefer 6.0–7.0.
