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Grow Along Live Week 2

The Secret to Great Veggies? It Starts with Your Soil

Mark Lane Grow Along Live

Last week we kicked off Grow Along Live, our Summer gardening initiative where we invited you to grow your own veg patch in less than two months. And we're already hearing from green-fingered viewers across the country!

Jason from Salford shared how his spinach and rocket are already starting to shoot up, and Sarah in Wollaston is seeing signs of growth too. Keep those updates coming – we love seeing your progress!

Jason and Sarah's growing efforts

This Week's Focus: Soil Care & Fertiliser

It might be early days for our crops, but now's the perfect time to give our soil a bit of TLC. As Mark explains, healthy plants begin with healthy soil.

"It's easy to focus on what's growing above the surface, but everything starts beneath our feet. Soil isn't just dirt – it's a living ecosystem, packed with nutrients, microbes and organisms working together to feed your plants."

Understanding Soil pH – and Why It Matters

Soil pH measures how acidic or alkaline your soil is, and different plants thrive in different conditions. Here's a quick guide:

  • Below pH 6: Acidic – can lead to nutrient loss.

  • pH 6 to 7: Ideal – slightly acidic is best for most plants.

  • Above pH 7: Alkaline – can reduce nutrient availability.

How to Test Your Soil's pH at Home

You can easily test your soil with a pH meter – many basic kits cost under £10 online. Just push the probe into your soil and get an instant reading.

No kit? No problem! Try this DIY method:

You'll need:

  • Two soil samples (about a cup each, taken 6 inches deep)

  • White vinegar

  • Baking soda

  • Distilled or deionised water

Test for Alkalinity:

  • Mix half a cup of soil with water to make a sludge.

  • Add half a cup of vinegar.

  • Fizzing = alkaline soil.

Test for Acidity:

  • Mix a second soil sample with water.

  • Add half a cup of baking soda.

  • Fizzing = acidic soil.

"A strong reaction suggests your soil is very acidic or very alkaline," Mark says. "Slight fizzing is totally normal."

Improving Your Soil's pH

If your soil needs adjusting, here's what you can do:

Too acidic? Add garden lime (ground limestone). Mix it thoroughly into the top 20cm of soil.

Too alkaline? Use garden sulphur to lower the pH.

IMPORTANT: These products can be harmful if ingested. Always follow packaging instructions and take proper safety precautions.

Make Your Own Fertiliser with Nettles

This week, Mark also showed us how to turn pesky stinging nettles into a powerful plant feed.

"Nettles are packed with nutrients, especially nitrogen, which plants love. It's essentially plants feeding plants!"

DIY Nettle Fertiliser Recipe:

  • Forage nettles (wear gloves!)

  • Chop them up to help them break down.

  • Add to a bucket and cover with water.

  • Cover and leave for 2–3 weeks to ferment (warning: it will smell!)

  • Strain and dilute – mix 1 part nettle liquid to 10 parts water.

This organic fertiliser will give your plants a nutrient-rich boost throughout the growing season.

Send Us Your Grow Along Photos!

We're loving all your updates – keep them coming via email or WhatsApp, and don't forget to leave your name so we can give you a shout-out on the show.

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    • 3 February