Improving Your Soil, I

The major reason for organic gardening is to apply large quantities of organic materials to your soil. Compost, animal manure, organic fertilisers and cover crops or green manure provides organic matter. Most soils today have decreased natural humus levels and need organic replenishment from additional sources. Organic material is decomposed by microorganisms like bacterial, fungi, algae and earthworms. This process releases nutrients for plants.

Benefits of Organic Matter:

Improves soil condition and structure

Improves soil water holding capacity

Improves soil nutrient holding capacity

A favourable environment for microorganisms

Provides major and micronutrients

Gradual release of nutrients

Acids from decomposition break insoluble forms of nutrients into soluble

Aids plants with nematode resistance

Animal manures are the best source of nutrition and organic matter. Use manure aged at least 30 days or composted. Manures vary widely in their nutritional status. Compilation varies due to the animal species, age and condition, feed and mixed litter. Litter enhances manure fertility. Some nutritional analysis may be as high as 4.5%N: 2%P: 2%K. Manures also provide most trace elements.

Suggested application rates:

Cow, horse and pig - Apply at least 25 pounds per 100 square feet of soil. Ideally include 2 to 3 pounds of rock phosphate or raw bone meal per 25 pounds of manure.

Chicken and sheep - Apply from 12 to 70 pounds per 100 square feet of soil.

Rabbit, goat and other grass eaters -Apply from12 to 100 pounds per 100 square feet of soil. Sidedressing if required:

Cow, horse and pig - Use up to 5 pounds per 100 square feet of row.

Chicken and sheep - Use up to 3 pounds per 100 square feet of row.

Cultivate into the topsoil about three weeks before planting. Apply sidedressing along rows at edge of root zone. Apply 25 to 200 pounds of compost per 100 square feet of soil. Be aware that high levels of woody material composted will deplete the soil of nitrogen. Add animal manure before application.

A soil high in organic matter decreases nematode populations. Nematodes are microscopic eelworms damage plant by forming lesions on the roots. Some soil microbes are natural enemies of nematodes.

Consider green manuring or planting cover crops prior to planting your main crop. Incorporated the crop into the soil to add organic material, improve soil drainage and microbial activity. Important elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and iron retained to benefit the intended crop. Legumes have added Rhizobium bacteria in their root systems. Green manuring proves to decrease soil nematode populations. The cover crop needs to grow rapidly for the soil to totally benefit. A crop with a high moisture level will decompose rapidly to utilise benefits.

The copyright of the article Improving Your Soil, I in Organic Gardens is owned by Geoffrey Ian Miller. Permission to republish Improving Your Soil, I in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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