Dr. Wally
Soil Amendments Manure Compost Coverage Formulas
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Products
[Mike’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, both Back to Nature Compost and Dr. Earth are advertisers on The Mike Nowak Show. However, like Wally, I heartily endorse these products.] Back to Nature Products Dr. Earth Products Direct garden planting garden soil amendment or mulch well suited for larger outdoor projects such as raised beds, etc.
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Wake Up Your Sleeping Garden’s Potential…Naturally!
Dr. Wally has a few questions for you.
How did your garden grow last year?
Did you have a bountiful harvest of vegetables?
Any Disease Problems?
Were your flower beds full and lush?I hear this complaint all the time. "Seven years ago my veggie garden did great; every year after that it seems to be on a downhill slide. The tomato plants grow large without a lot of fruit , and the tomatoes taste lousy! I haven’t added anything to the garden but the usual water-soluble, blue-colored fertilizer. What’s gone wrong?"
It's simple. That synthetic of fertilizer is made of different salt compounds. Year after year, the fertilizer has built up salt levels and started to destroy the positive soil microbes, leaving a very unfertile planting bed. One teaspoon of compost-rich organic soil can host from 600 million to 1 billion helpful bacteria from 15,000 species. On the other hand, one teaspoon of chemically treated soil can host as few as 100 bacteria. And bacteria are what you need in your soil.
Organic matter
Healthy soil contains roughly 25% air, 25% water, 45% minerals and 5% organic matter. While air, water and minerals are important, the organic content of the soil is the primary source of fertility. Loose texture, which organic matter increases, is the hallmark of fertile soil. The organic content is also the only part that can be significantly increased without adverse consequences.The USDA states that organic matter enhances soil functions and environmental quality because it
- binds soil particles together into stable aggregates, thus improving porosity, infiltration and root penetration and reducing runoff and erosion.
- enhances soil fertility and plant productivity by improving the ability of the soil to store and supply nutrients, water and air.
- provides habitat and food for soil organisms.
- sequesters carbon from the atmosphere.
- reduces mineral crust formation and runoff.
- reduces the negative water quality and environmental effects of pesticides, heavy metals and other pollutants by actively trapping or transforming them.
Soil Preparation
Fall is a great time to do a soil test to determine what amendments your garden needs. Soil testing kits are readily available from good garden centers or through the University of Illinois extension services .A good practice is to turn over your garden right before a heavy frost and incorporate compost into the soil. (Turning over the soil will bring insect eggs and overwintering larvae and insects to the top to face a good freeze, eliminating many of these pests.) Simply pace off your planting bed. The average step is about 3 feet. If you want to be exact use a measuring tape. Turn the soil, but do it gently. Remember, if you use a rototiller, don’t overwork, or “powder,” your soil. This can damage the natural soil bacteria, and it's hard on earthworms (the good guys)! I have a Mantis Tiller and its R.P.M. runs high. I’ve learned not to powder the soil even though it looks good. Easy does it.
After turning over the bed and raking it level, spread composted cow or chicken manure across the bed. Then top-cover with a thick bed of leaves or needles from a healthy tree or evergreen with no diseases or insect problems. The winter snows and spring rains will help break down the soil, and the moisture will work in the amendments. After the soil warms up in spring, earth worms will channel up thru the soil, aerating as they travel, consuming and breaking down these organic amendments to the very best fertilizer with positive bacteria you can put in your garden!
You can also do a good clean-up in the early spring when the garden is workable and not wet. (Always avoid working wet soil. You’ll compact the soil, squashing valuable air pores and suffocating positive soil bacteria!)
You’ll notice a huge difference in gardens the growing season after a good soil amending. It’s important to continue this practice yearly. Add at least 2 inches of organic amendments yearly to maintain soil health.
Don’t Panic – Go Organic!
Wally Scmidtke
Pesches Garden Center Manager
www.pesches.com