Healthy, nutrient-rich soil is essential to organic gardening.
Soil nutrients essential for sustainable plant growth include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, boron and molybdenum. As early proponent of organic gardening Robert Rodale famously stated, "Feed the soil and it will feed the crop."
Importance of Soil Composition
Growing plants take nutrients from the soil that are vital for their healthy development. To maintain nutrient-rich, fertile soil, growers can use organic sources to replenish these essential components and build healthy soil. These organic materials break down slowly over time, providing a sustained release of nutrients into the soil and reducing the amount of nutrients lost to leaching.
Organic Nutrient Sources
Livestock manure is an excellent organic source of soil nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. Other organic sources used to fertilize soil include alfalfa, kelp, blood and bone meals, greensand, wood ash, granite dust, lime, gypsum, fish emulsions, wood ashes and chips, sawdust, dolomitic lime, compost, old leaves, peanut hulls and cocoa shells.
Too Much of a Good Thing
Before adding any organic material to soil, first have soil tested to ensure the right nutrients are added and in correct amounts. Overfertilizing is a common problem, and excess nutrients can leave young plants susceptible to disease pathogens and may increase weed growth.
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