This Months Article:
Why Use Organic Soil Amendments
by Julie Sedwick
Not all soil is rich enough in nutrients to maintain the growth of healthy plants and vegetables. The structure of the soil is very important in that it determines whether the soil is adequate enough to allow proper air and water capacity. If the soil is not structurally sound enough then there will not be enough air and/or water to maintain proper vegetation. In other cases the structure of the soil may not allow for proper drainage of water and thus still be harmful to the growth of vegetation. Almost all soil can be fixed structurally. Given the right amount of nutrients, with the help of organic soil amendments. Improvements to the soil help not only when the soil is dry or structurally unfit but also in areas with high amounts of clay or sand. The soil corrections help to break clay apart thus allowing for more fit soil for planting. When added to areas with a good deal of sand the corrections will help to aid in air and water capacities. This concept is the same in dry desert areas as the aid in air and water capacities allows for vegetation to grow in areas that without the amendments would otherwise be useless for planting. The types of organic soil amendments that can be used are compost, peat and manure. Each one of these organic materials has its own pros and cons and the decision is really more on individual needs and budget when deciding which one to use.
For a closer look at soil amendments check out: Soil Elements and Amendments
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