What Are Organic Soil Additives?
- Some organic additives are best used sparingly. Wood ash is high in salts which remain in the soil, and it raises the pH of the soil. Wood products such as sawdust and shredded wood and bark tie up the nitrogen in the soil as they decompose. Eventually the nitrogen is released, but meanwhile, an additional source of nitrogen should be added to the soil.
- Compost animal manures before adding them to the garden, or add them several months before planting. Compost manures at temperatures between 130 to 140 degrees F. If your compost pile doen't get hot enough, the compost is safe for use in flower beds but not in vegetable gardens. Biosoil is a polite term for the byproducts of sewage treatment. Only use grade 1 biosoil, and never use it for root vegetables.
- Anyone with a 3-foot-square area of ground can make their own compost. Composting converts yard and kitchen waste into a rich, organic soil additive. Compost loosens heavy soils, improves the drainage, adds nutrients to the soil, and improves the overall structure.
- Sphagnum peat improves the soil structure, moisture retention and helps to acidify the soil. Peat moss is usually too fine and holds too much moisture, wicking it away from plant roots. Peat moss is dredged from wetland bogs that take hundreds of years to regenerate. Always choose sphagnum peat over peat moss.
