Secrets of good soil

The secrets of good soil aren’t really secrets at all – soil rich in organic matter like leaves, grass clippings or other plant parts in various stages of decay is soil that contains the nutrients that growing plants need to succeed. Making or using compost as a soil amendment takes little effort and yields big results in terms of helping with common problems such as poor drainage, fertility, mineral content or less than ideal ph levels. And one of the biggest advantages of using compost to amend soil is that it helps the soil retain huge amounts of water.

Composting

Building a compost pile is fairly simple too – just alternate layers of dry materials like leaves or straw that contribute carbon, with moist, high-nitrogen materials such as grass clippings, livestock manure or fruit and vegetable scraps from your kitchen. To speed composition of the pile, turn frequently and make sure it stays moist. Or simply let the pile sit and decompose more slowly on its own. The compost is ‘done” when it has a crumbly texture.
Gardeners may also be interested to know that the pile can literally be a pile – it doesn’t have to be contained. But there are lots of container options to choose from – from store-bought cylinders you roll instead of turning with a fork, to home-made bins made from recycled packing crates.

Fertilizers

One of the most important choices an organic gardener can make is how to fertilize. For years, quick-acting petroleum based synthetic products have been used on flowers, vegetables and lawns. But more and more gardeners are choosing organic fertilizers, recognizing the slow-release approach is better for themselves and the environment.
Dry fertilizers are worked into the soil and watered in. They work more slowly but are longer lasting than liquids. Blends contain varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are indicated by the ratio on the label. A 5-10-5 fertilizer, for example, contains 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 5 percent potassium. Garden-Ville’s Rocket Fuel 2-6-1 includes rock phosphate, bat guano, molasses and other ingredients. Some gardeners prefer to make their own blends, or to use single-ingredient fertilizers such as Greensand, feather meal or bone meal.
Liquid organic fertilizer can be used as a foliar spray on leaves or as a soil drench. They include things like seaweed, fish emulsion and compost tea, or popular combinations like Garrett Juice. It’s important to spray the underside of the leaves when using a foliar spray for best penetration of the leaf surface. Experts say spraying in early morning or evening is most effective.

Mulching

What lays on top the soil is important too. Organic mulches are materials such as pine bark, crushed granite or straw that cover the soil like a blanket, insulating plants from the effects of both brutal heat and severe cold, and helping the soil to retain far more water than if it is left uncovered. Inorganic mulches like plastic, recycled glass or shredded synthetic materials made to look like tree bark serve the same function, but don’t benefit the soil by gradually breaking down over time and thus affecting the soil’s organic content. More benefits of mulch include keeping weeds from encroaching on planted areas and giving a finished look to landscapes.
Organic mulches can be layered from two to six inches, but save coarser textured mulches for thicker applications. Piling on too much of a mulch that is fine-textured can block air circulation, according to an article authored by Malcolm Beck, with Jerry Parsons and Roland Roberts of Texas Extension at www.plantanswers.com.