Soil Amendments

1. Soil Amendments Kathryn Carlisle

2. Soil Amendments • Any addition to the soil that improves its physical or chemical condition.

3. Amendments to Change pH & Nutrient Levels • Lime & sulfur are commonly used to change soil pH • Some other additives: • Dolomitic limestone • Adds calcium, magnesium • Increases pH • Gypsom • Adds calcium, some sulfur

4. More additives… • Wood ashes • Adds potassium, phosphate, boron, & others • Increases pH • Cannot come in contact with germinating seedlings of plant roots • Spread a thin layer over the winter & incorporate into soil • Important to check pH yearly when ashes are used

5. NEVER use coal ashes or large amounts of wood ashes as toxicity can occur • No more than 20 lbs per 10002ft

6. Amendments to Improve Nutrient Levels • Greensand & granite meal are sources of potassium • Granite meal is finely ground granite rock that releases potassium slowly • Greensand is relatively low in potassium, but is readily dissolved • Neither should be considered a sole nutrient source

7. More for Nutrient Level Improvements… • Cottonseed meal, kelp meal, leather meal, worm castings • Organic amendments are particularly useful where a trace element deficiency exists • Synthetics are generally more available & less expensive & have quicker results

8. Amendments to Improve Soil Quality • Course sand or perlite can be added to clays • But these can be expensive & require large amounts to work

9. Improving Soil Quality con’t… • Organic matter is great to improve soil • Manures, Leafmold, Sawdust, Straw • These are decomposed in soil by microbes • Factors such as moisture, temperature, & N2 availability determine rate of decomposition

10. Improving Soil Quality con’t… • Adequate water must be available • Warm temperatures increase rate of microbial work • Proper balance of carbon & nitrogen • Adding N2 might be necessary • Green waste needs less supplementation

11. Compost! • Using composting gets around the N2 decomposition problem • Animal manure can be used • Can be high in nitrogen & may burn plants • Best applied in fall & tilled under • Has fewer nutrients • May be a source of weeds

12. Cover Crops • Green manures such as annual rye, ryegrass & oats are planted in the fall for spring incorporation • Plant between the rows & any cleared areas

13. Cover Crops • Provides organic matter • Hold nutrients that might have been lost over winter • Helps reduce erosion & loss of topsoil • Legume cover crops fix N2 & reduce fertilizer needs • Deep-rooted cover crops allowed to grow can help fix problem soil

14. The regular addition of manure, compost, cover crops & other organic materials can raise the soil nutrient & physical level to a point at which the addition of synthetic fertilizers is no longer needed, or is greatly reduced.

15. Remember… • Soil is alive! • Keep it fertile & rich & many gardening problems may be diminished!