By: Daniel Harri

Organic soil contains lots of humus and it holds moisture, while draining well also. It is also
fluffy and filled with all the air that roots of plants need for proper growth. Healthy organic soil
also contains lots of minerals and living organisms, which assists in providing sufficient nutrients
to the plants. A good PH level is also another characteristic of organic soil.

1. Soil living organisms

Healthy soil requires a sufficient organism population. The little organisms make nutrients
more accessible to plants. Furthermore, they help bind soil particles together and thus make
soil fluffy and lose. Examples of soil living organisms include nematodes, earthworms, bacteria,
protozoa, fungi, springtails and mites among others.

Most of these soil organisms may be bought and then introduced into the soil. However, unless
the organisms are introduced in an unsuitable environment, they will not survive. It is best to
first create a good habitat through providing sufficient food, which is the organic matter, and
also water and air they need to thrive.

2. Organic matter

The simple action of adding organic matter or compost will enhance any kind of soil. The
texture and nutrient levels of clay and sandy soils are significantly enhanced. All soils can
therefore be improved with yearly compost applications. You can purchase organic compost
from the local stores or simply make it own your own.

Organic materials like compost help to hold the soil together and assist in moisture retention.
They also store the important nutrients, which are them accessible to plants. Additionally,
compost is essentially the source of food for useful microorganisms.

Making organic compost is as simple as piling green layers like includes livestock manure, grass
clippings and food wasted onto brown layers like leaves. Ensure that the pile is moist at all
times and then frequently turn it.

For those who think that the process of making compost is just too messy or are worried about
rodents getting inside the pile, there are various types of composters accessible for purchase.
This helps contain vegetable scraps, while making turning simple.

3. Mulch

Mulch helps cover the top soil and also insulate it against extreme weather condition. Mulch
comprises of grass clippings, hay, shredded bark and straw. These components help lessen

water loss via evaporation and also deter weed growth. Mulch also breaks down gradually and
thus enhances soil with beneficial organic matter.

The other option when mulching soil is to use inorganic mulches. This kind of mulch is made
up of gravel, landscape fabrics, pebbles and gravel. They help avert quick evaporation and also
prevent weeds from growing just like organic mulch. However, they offer benefit of lasting for
a very long time and do not regular replacement. Inorganic mulch also does not attract rodents
and insects. Nevertheless, inorganic mulch does not offer the benefit of breaking down to add
organic matter. If you want to enhance your soil structure, simply make use of a high quality
and clean garden mulch.

By: Daniel Harri

Healthy soil has been shown to lessen the need for pesticides or fertilizers. As such, the
importance of making healthy soils cannot be overlooked. You can now make your own healthy
organic soil by reading the following article.

Testing

One method of determining what minerals exactly are abundant or lacking in soil is through
simply testing it. You can test your soil through using your local extension services. These
tests normally measure the levels of various components of soil, which include phosphorous,
potassium, nitrogen, calcium, PH and magnesium. The tests may also display the macronutrient
content of the soil, but this is not important to gardeners who add lots of compost and organic
fertilizers to their soils. You can even carry out the test on your own using a kit for soil test that
you can get from your local agricultural supplier.

PH levels are very important to a plant’s capability of absorbing nutrients. Most nutrients and
minerals are easily accessible when the PH is between 6 and 7. If you have a very acidic or
alkaline soil, it does not really matter if it contains lots of nutrients since the plants will not be
capable of absorbing them. Soil test normally include the PH levels, but you can also get your
own PH Meter to determine the alkaline-acid balance of your garden soil.

It is best to get your soil tested during fall or spring since it is stable during these times.
Additionally, you can also add any organic fertilizer and other amendments during these times
should you find out that your soil falls short of these nutrients and minerals.

Improve your soil

To create healthy organic soils, you ought to add organic matter. This involves adding aged
manure and garden compost or using cover crops or mulch. This is the most effective method
of improving all components of your garden soil. While adding fertilizers is also effective, it will
only replenish specific nutrients and will not do anything for maintaining the good health of the
soil. Organic fertilizer will assist in supplying everything that your plants really need.

Water

Water is important for all life forms, which includes soil organisms and plants. However, healthy
organic soil should contain approximately 25% water.

Soils that have too much space between the pores normally have difficulty retaining water. The
water drains quickly through the soil and therefore is not beneficial to the plants. Likewise, in
silt, clay or dense soils, there is minimal pore space due to high water content. The presence of

too much water typically suffocates soil organisms and plant roots.

In effect, healthy organic soils should have both large and small pore spaces. The addition of
organic matter is highly beneficial to any soil as is helps in improving the soil structure through
forming aggregates. Furthermore, organic matter also retains water and allows plants to use it
whenever they most need it.

Air

Plants require air for not only photosynthesis above ground, but for other crucial processes
below ground. For example, air in soil retains atmospheric nitrogen, which may later be
changed into an easily accessible form to be used by plants. Additionally, soil oxygen also helps
soil organisms to survive, further benefiting the plants.

Organic soil offers sufficient space between particles to retain air that the plants are going to
use. Clay soils generally have small particles and thus it has less air content. In contrast, sandy
soil has the opposite difficulty since it has big aggregates that are spaced out. This excessive
quantity of air created in sandy soils can result in quick decomposition of beneficial organic
matter.

The addition of organic matter, particularly compost, will assist in balancing the supply of air.
Furthermore, avoid stepping inside your garden or using heavy equipment so as to prevent the
soil from being compacted. It is also recommended to avoid working or digging the soil during
wet periods.

Fertilizer

It is still recommended to use liquid or dry fertilizer to add nutrients that may not be accessible
in any other method. Moreover, organic fertilizers function somewhat slower as compared to
their artificial counterparts. The advantage of organic fertilizers is that they release nutrients
over an extended time frame. Ensure that you seek out fertilizers that will not harm the useful
soil organisms.

There are some effective organic fertilizers that are manufactured by respectable companies.
Even though they work slowly, they provide a long lasting effect. Some of the widely used
organic fertilizers are seaweed blends and fish emulsion. Compost tea is another kind of organic
fertilizer that can be made easily and is highly effective.

By Daniel Harri

Compost is the best mulch that you could ever use on your plants. It offers an alternative to commercial fertilizers. Using it enhances soil texture, aeration and structure. It also increases the water holding capability of soil. The best advantage of organic compost is that it is not expensive. Here are some of the best uses for organic compost.

1.      Mulch

A simple example of a natural organic compost system is present in our forests. Here, the leaves act like mulch and they slowly decompose, conditioning the surrounding soil through recycling nutrients. Similarly, yard debris like grass clippings, shredded branches or leaves can be utilized like mulch. Over time, this mulch will turn into organic compost and benefit your plants.

Remember not to incorporate the mulch in the soil. In fact, when using organic compost like mulch, you should keep it 3 inches away from the plant stems. This enables nutrients to filter in the soil without having to rob nitrogen from plant roots. Using compost like mulch offers extensive benefits. These benefits include promoting moisture retention, breaking down to offer nutrients and insulating the soil against extreme temperatures.

2.      Soil amendment

Organic compost is best used like a soil amendment. It increases the organic matter content in soil, which is vital for plant growth and development. Subtropical and tropical soils are infamous for lacking this essential material, while temperate soils contain close to 50% of organic matter. Compost can go a long way in increasing organic matter content in soils.

Since subtropical and tropical soils never freeze, thus microbial activity occurs throughout the year. In consequence, organic content of the soil is quickly used up. Due to the constant microbial activity together with year-round hot weather, famers are recommended to apply organic compost annually. Furthermore, they can also apply as needed so as to enhance the organic matter component of soil.

3.      Potting mix

Organic compost could as be used like a great potting soil when setting up a container nursery. This use stems from the fact that organic compost offers excellent water retention properties and also some essential nutrients. Nevertheless, gardeners should ensure that only finished or fully decomposed compost is used like potting mix.

Plants grown in a container require a soil that will not only retain moisture, but one that is also well drained. Many garden enthusiasts thereby blend organic compost together with coarse sand to provide an optimal potting soil. 

4.      Tea

Lastly, another best use for organic compost is making compost tea. This is the best way to offer compost nutrients to potted plants and indoor plants. Such plants normally have limited spaces for adding the regular organic compost. 

This tea is made by placing finished compost in a woven material or bag and then placing it into a container of water. Allow the compost to sit there for some time and then remove the container. The resultant liquid is what is referred to as organic compost tea.

Compost tea is beneficial as it extracts microorganisms and nutrients from organic compost. It then allows users to apply all these useful components to their plants. Hence, compost tea functions like an effective liquid fertilizer that has a high content of micronutrients.

By: Tania Azadi

What is compost? 

Compost is a form of used or waste materials that are used to make soil fertile in an organic way. On the other hand, when used or waste materials are decomposed for recycling in the corn fields to grow better crops without using chemical fertilizer, is called compost. It’s an organic process by which waste nutrients are changed into a fertile soil in order that we could get chemical free refresh crops to continue our life cycle peaceful and healthy. Basically, compost is the biological decomposition of organic material. 

What are the benefits of compost?

The use of compost provides a lot of benefits. We eat to live, not live to eat at all. So for our peaceful and healthy living organic fresh food is essential. Here are some benefits of compost given below:  

      1.  Healthy plants depend on healthy soil. Compost ensures for healthy plants with ability to fight against pests and diseases.

      2.  Compost can easily mix with soil and soil can reserve much benefit for long to do better for the healthy plants.

       3.  Composting is about cost free but pays a very good feedback.

      4.  Home composting is very easy, in which your family members can be participant.

      5.  For a healthy environment composting is a must. Here you are enjoying both the twos: 1. Healthy and fresh crops for good health, 2. Neat and clean environment.

      6.  By composting you can grow a plenty of good crops which can be available for your balanced diet.

      7.  Compost is a regenerating system. Power creates power and that proves the composting organic system.

      8.  To increase soils moisture preservation organic compost plays a vital role.

      9.  It is usable for all kinds of soils: sandy, clay, hard etc. 

      10.  Your waste stream, both house holdings and others annoy you. You can remove it easily by composting.

      11.  Compost is a natural pesticide for soil and plants.

      12.  To generate biogas through anaerobic digestion compost is used


How does compost improve the quality of your crops? 

If you want to start an organic farming, remember that, compost is a key ingredient. Compost is the intimate friend of soil instead of chemical fertilizer to grow crops with better quality. The use of compost develops soils structure and texture and helps to hold water for the green plants. As soil becomes fertile of using compost, so it ensures roots health, stimulation and depth stability, and also improves drought tolerance. Compost protects plants from pests and diseases. It should be remembered that chemical fertilizer is a short time solution of soils and plants, but compost or organic fertilizer is a long time solution. Though it results in slow, its longevity long for a long, and think that you have done a little bit good for the soil.

Above all, a farmer wants to have good crops by investing a little labor and money. As compost is easy to compose and sometimes out of spending even a cent, so it can be the best product for him to grow crops in plenty.