We Don’t Need Healthy Soils, Do We?
Healthy soils make healthy plants
Yes, a thousand times yes, we do need healthy soils. Without soil, you wouldn’t be here, along with all your plants and pets.
What a scary thought.
So, what makes soil so important?
Well, healthy soil…
#1 Supports plant roots and keep them upright for growth.
#2 Stores and cycles nutrients and minerals that plants need to grow.
#3 Stores water for plants.
#4 Provides oxygen for microbes, insects, and plant roots.
#5 Is a habitat for beneficial soil microbes.
#6 Provides farmers with better crop yields and protect plants from stress.
#7 Protects land from erosion.
#8 Protects the planet from climate change by removing fossil fuel emissions (capturing carbon)
Just to name a few.
Of course, you know that food comes from plants and animals and without food you can’t exist.
Yes, I know that it is quite irritating if you have soil in your shoes, busy climbing your favourite mountain, but soil allows plants, animals, and organisms of all kinds to grow and thrive.
Out of all the three soil particles…
sand
clay, and
silt…
…Sand is the largest.
Sand-based soil doesn’t have natural source of nutrients. It needs to be fertilised frequently as synthetic-based fertilisers tend to leach away quickly.
This type of soil will need constant care to let the turf grow to its full potential.
The use of natural organic products aids the soil nutrient holding capacity by adding more organic matter and increasing the biological activity.
Clay-based soils are loaded with micro-nutrients, but are very low in macro-nutrient nitrogen.
Macro-nutrient nitrogen is vital for plant growth and responsible for green color.
Clay will hold applied fertilisers better than sand-based soil. However, clay-based soil does not properly drain excessive water away from the root zone, causing roots and seed to rot during wet conditions.
After a couple of weeks without water, clay-based soil will harden like a rock. It is good for flower pots, but not for growing grass and plants in the field.
Adding organic matter helps break down the compaction of clay-based soils, allowing for more porous soil.
Silt-based soils generally contain micro- and macro-nutrients, drain fairly well and can produce a good root structure.
Some drawbacks are that its light texture can blow away in high winds or wash away in heavy rains.
Silt-based soils also tends to have a crusty surface when drying out that causes seeds to germinate poorly.
Like clay-based soils, adding organic matter to silt-based soils help break through soil compaction, allowing for more porous soils.
The descriptions used are very simple and each soil type has many variations.
Just like how a foundation for a home is critical, healthy soils act as a foundation for plants.
For any assistance or comments, shoot us an email: Click here
You are more than welcome to check out our wonderful products: Click here
