7 Best Soil Amendments You Need To Know
The requirements of the soil of your garden continue to change from time to time. To improve its physical properties, you will have to monitor its condition and make adjustments accordingly. These adjustments are done by adding some organic and inorganic substances to the soil and it is known as a soil amendment.
Here we’ll introduce you 7 best soil amendments that help you improve your garden soil. These soil amendments are a little strange, and you may not have even heard of them before, but they’re very practical.
#7. Biochar:
It is an organic carbon-rich amendment which is derived from the pyrolysis of biomass under low-oxygen and high-temperature conditions. It can help in modifying the biological and physicochemical properties of the soil by fulfilling its need for carbon. It can renew the energy of the soil in an environmentally friendly manner.
The most basic method: in a shallow pit or just on the ground light a fire and load brush on, keeping it very hot. By keeping it hot, you rob the materials at the bottom of oxygen which results in chunks of pure carbon (the biochar). You load it for as long as you can, and then put it out with snow or water before it turns to ash. Take those chunks, soak them in a bucket of urine for a day or two, and then mix them into your garden or bury them in pockets around fruit or nut trees. This is one of the best ways to help the plant and soil realm thrive!
6. Aged Animal Manure:
You can improve the fertility and health of your garden soil just by adding the aged manure of animals. You should avoid using fresh animal manure as it can burn plants with its heat as well as harmful for humans due to pathogens it includes. So to use animal manure in your garden soil you should age it for several months.
5. Ashes:
Wood ashes from the wood stove or fireplace can be used to supply both potassium and calcium to soil. The pH level of the soil of a growing garden should 6.5 i.e. a bit acidic. So, if the pH level of soil is acidic or below 6.5 then wood ash is the best solution. It can raise the pH level of the soil because of high calcium content in it. When you use wood ash when the pH level of soil is above 6.5 then it may interfere in the growth of plants due to high level of alkalinity in the soil.
4. Bone Meal:
Bone meal can be used as a fertilizer to increase phosphorus in the soil of a garden. The ratio of NPK in most bone meal remains 3-15-0. For the growth of flower plants Phosphorus is essential. Plants can easily taken phosphorus from bone meal. You can improve the growth of flower plants like bulbs, or roses etc. by using bone meal.
3. Blood Meal:
The fertilizer of dried blood meal can be the best option for if you are looking for a nourishing, affordable, and organic soil amendment to add compost or nitrogen to your garden soil. It is a completely natural fertilizer and the best source of nitrogen as it is a by-product of processing cattle.
2. Seaweed:
For many centuries seaweed is used for fertilizing soil. It is considered as the easiest way to provide minerals and nutrients to the soil. As fertilizer seaweed can fulfill the nutritional requirement of certain plants so you should continue using it to provide zinc, potassium, nitrogen, iron, and magnesium to your plants.
1. Greensand:
Due to lack of moisture your soil can become infertile. By using greensand as soil amendment you can help in retaining water in the soil to meet its need for moisture. Also called glauconite, greensand is a marine sediment that is high in potassium, iron, and a slew of other minerals. Greensand will provide vital water-soluble nutrients, retain soil moisture, and add nutrients when used in the prescribed quantity.
Coconut Chunk
via: mihomenest
The biggest benefits of using coconut chunk in soil are water retention & soil structure. The big chunks can hold a lot of moisture & provide air space for roots to breath & grow through.
