Every combination of soil type and land use calls for a different set of practices to improve soil quality, but there are a few standards that are commonly used in most situations. Addition of organic matter
Periodic adding of organic matter is vital to many aspects of soil quality. Organic matter may come from crop residues at the surface, cover crop roots, animal manure, green manure, compost, and other sources. Organic matter, and the organisms that eat it, can improve water holding capacity, nutrient availability, and can help protect against erosion.
Whether your soil is naturally high or low in organic matter, amending soil with compost every year is undoubtedly the easiest and most important way to improve and maintain soil quality. Regular additions of compost will improve soil structure, enhance water and nutrient holding capacity, protect soil from erosion and compaction, and support a healthy community of soil organisms.
Practices that increase organic matter include: applying compost/amending soil with compost, lawn top dressing with compost, grasscycling, choosing crop rotations that include high residue plants, using optimal nutrient and water management practices to grow healthy plants with large amounts of roots and residue, growing cover crops, using low or no tillage systems, and mulching.
Avoid excessive excavation
Disturbing/excavating soil can trigger excessive organic matter degradation, disrupting soil structure, causing compaction. Reducing soil damage minimizes the loss of organic matter and protects the soil surface with plant residue. Compost has been used for years to regenerate exhausted, compacted, contaminated and marginal soils. It is critical to revitalize soil health following disturbance of a site through excavation, tilling, remediation, leveling, grading, cut & fill and fire damage.
Carefully use fertilizer and pesticides
In this century, pesticides and chemical fertilizers have revolutionized U.S. agriculture. In addition to their desired effects, they can harm non-target organisms and pollute water and air if they are mismanaged. Manure and other organic matter also can become pollutants when misapplied or over-applied.
Efficient pest and nutrient management means testing and monitoring soil and pests; applying only the necessary fertilizer and pesticide, at the right time and place to get the job done; and taking advantage of non-chemical approaches to pest and nutrient management such as crop rotations, cover crops, and manure management - organic gardening.
Ground cover should be increased
Bare soil is susceptible to wind and erosion, and to drying and crusting, none of which are conducive to growing healthy plant life. Without healthy vegetation animal life may be impacted, potentially suffering from malnutrition and disease. Ground cover and mulch protect soil, provide habitats for animal life and larger soil organisms, such as insects and earthworms, and can improve water availability. Cover crops, perennials, and surface residue increase the amount of time that the soil surface is covered each year.
Ground can be covered by leaving crop residue on the surface or by planting cover crops. In addition to ground cover, living cover crops provide additional organic matter, and continuous cover and food for soil organisms. Ground cover must be managed to prevent problems with delayed soil warming in spring, diseases, and excessive build-up of phosphorus at the surface.
Avoid soil compaction
Compaction reduces the amount of air, water, and space available to roots and soil organisms. Compaction is caused by repeated traffic and/or heavy play on sports fields. Deep compaction by heavy equipment is difficult or impossible to remedy, so prevention is essential. Adding Harvest Blend Compost opens up compacted soils, allowing oxygen and water to reach parched root systems, helping to create a lush, vibrant lawn and garden. Naturally!
Need compost for your spring project? Contact one of our handy Field Reps at Info@HarvestBlendCompost.com
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