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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Community Garden hosted a healthy garden soils workshop last Wednesday, starting with a potluck picnic.

After everyone introduced themselves and said their favorite garden fruit or vegetable the workshop began at 7:30. Shannon Ripley of Ecology North and Lone Sorensen, a garden collective member, presented an array of information.

Shannon Ripley, left, and Lone Sorensen presented a healthy garden soil workshop at the community garden on Wednesday night, sharing their knowledge of soil nutrients, composting, and crop rotation and diversity. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

"Good soil composition and good health are important to your garden." said Sorensen. "Learn to work with the power of nature."

The group discussed soil or lack of it in the NWT. Yellowknife does not have a lot of soil due to the cold climate and glaciers during the ice age, when soils were scraped away.

Ripley explained the components found in soils.

"Forty-five per cent of soil is mineral material, five per cent is organic material and the other 50 per cent is made up of water and oxygen," said Ripley.

"Soils are a renewable resource, but it takes a long time for it to develop," said Ripley.

Once developed, soil quality can be measured.

"There are three main qualities to look for in good soil," said Ripley. "The first is productivity, the second is environmental quality and the third is organism support."

Soil is considered healthy if it sustains plant growth and supports different types of organisms.

"Try to keep the soil not too compact so water can absorb better," said Ripley. "Rotor tilling brings oxygen into the soil, but no-till gardening is also an option."

Buying brown soils from a store is often not enough to get a good garden. Adding sand, organic material, minerals and compost are keys to having a good garden. Certain products allow gardeners to check the pH levels of their soil or add more minerals.

"Compost should be well-decomposed or it will disrupt the nitrogen cycle in a garden," said Sorensen. "Nitrogen will break down organic material and not help as efficiently in plant development."

When putting things into compost bins it is important to keep weeds out.

"Weeds don't break down in a composter," said Sorensen.

The gardening expert ended the night by telling the audience another important factor in good gardens.

"Work with nature and its power."