How you treat your soil depends on the soil type, how it has been managed in the past and what it is or will be growing- in it.The organic approach to soil is a combination of good horticultural practice and the use if needed of bulky organic materials such as compost, animal manure, green manure supplemented with organic fertilizers (natural products of animal, plant or mineral origin.
The basic principals of organic soil management are as follows:: Feed the soil- Bulky soil improvers feed the living creatures that build soil structure and fertility. Plants fed on an organic diet are less attractive to some pests and diseases. Composts can help control soil born pests and diseases. Walk with care- A compacted soil is airless, difficult for roots to penetrate, and a poor environment for soil-living creatures Dig only when necessary- Digging has its uses but can destroy the soil structure. Regular digging can increase weed growth as well as cause the rate of organic matter (the essential component of good soil) to break down
Keep it covered- A regular mulching with an organic soil improver will do wonders for the structure of the vital surface layers of the soil. Mulches insulate the soil from rapid changes in temperature and moisture. Take care with plant nutrients- More problems are caused by over fertilizing than by under fertilizing. The performance of your plants should be your guide. Green manures can be a good source of nitrogen particularly if you do not wish to use animal manures use Rich Earth Soil Conditioner Check the pH before you add lime- Too much lime can make nutrients unavailable to plants make them susceptible to mineral deficiences, pests and diseases.
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