Oct 05 2015
What You Need to Know About Improving Garden Soil
With a lot of research being done on soil science, it’s become clear that the state of the soil has a huge impact on the plants grown.
While organic matter makes up about one to six percent as a component of soil. Yet the organic matter as well as the bacteria and fungi that feed on it have the greatest impact on the soil.
Some of the ways by which it happens is how the soil holds water, how the particles are bound together as well as how it makes inorganic elements.
In other words, you can improve the soil condition by adding organic matter.
Compost, for example, whether store-bought or homemade, can be very beneficial. It is a good source of microorganisms that will improve the texture and condition of the soil.
Some of the less popular types of organic matter that can be added to organic soil include seed-free straw and alfalfa hay, autumn leaves, sawdust, annual ryegrass, lawn grass clippings and weed-seed-free sterilized manure.
Of course, almost all types of organic soil have to be tilled or turned into the soil. This is anything but easy.
But this is beneficial since microorganisms from the topmost layer of organic matter will penetrate the soil. Also, as it turns into mulch, the amount of organic matter reduces making the job of tilling it much more easier.
Now, the easiest type of organic material to lay down are the leaves that have fallen from trees.
Dead cool-season grasses can also be left on the soil surface so as to decompose. Straws and hay are good but they take longer to decompose.