Growing food is not an easy task. It requires hard labour, use of new
techniques and the latest technology to bring food to our platter.
Farming in past many years has seen increased use of chemicals and other
pesticides. This not only affects the plantation but also minimizes the
nutrition of the soil. Good quality soil is essential to nurture
growing edibles. And soil is what gets the most ignorance when it comes
to farming. People usually do not pay any heed to the quality of the
soil.
Soil is a living and dynamic ecosystem in itself.
Soil quality matters because good quality soil holds more amount of
water, which eventually helps your plants to survive and thrive. Poor
and depleted quality soil cannot store water and help the plants to
outlive. Improving your soil means improving your crops and overall
plantation. Enhancing the quality of soil is easier than you think. It
requires little hard work and use of some right materials, to enrich
your soil with good bacteria.
Here are 7 Steps You Can Follow to Improve Soil Quality:
1. Permanent Beds
Stepping on garden soil destroys it tilth, beneficial
soil organism and their habitats. To fix poor garden soil problems,
establish permanent beds and pathways to clearly define the beds.
Permanent beds not only keep the soil in the garden bed loose but also
save time and money.
2. Avoid Tilling
Tilling is an agricultural method that helps in
quickly losing and aerating soil in preparation for planting by use of
mechanical means. By destroying beneficial soil organisms, tilling can
also cause the soil to wash away in rain or blow by the wind. This is
the reason that using mechanical ways to loosen and aerate the soil is
damaging and different from that done through digging fork.
3. Use Mulch
A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface
of soil. Mulch holds moisture in the soil. It can also help control the
weed. Lastly, as the mulch breaks down it adds organic matter to the
soil. Heavier mulches are beneficial in hot and dry climate. Whereas,
lighter mulches are more appropriate for cooler and rainy climate.
4. Add Organic Matter
When we harvest the crops, we extract the soil’s
nutrition too. To save the soil from getting depleted, it is imperative
that you replenish it each year. Garden that needs a boost can benefit
largely from organic matter. Organic matter helps improve the soil
structure, attract beneficial soil organisms, and make nutrients
bioavailable to your crops. Adding organic matter is an easier and
inexpensive way of improving your soil quality.
5. Cover crops
Planting cover crops is a powerful way to improve the
soil quality in farms. These crops provide organic matter and
nutrients, helping in improving the drainage and aeration. They also
attract beneficial soil organisms and act as an overwintering mulch.
Throughout the year, cover crops can be grown in rotation with any other
crops. It is best to plant them during late summers or early fall.
Choose a cover crop, which is easier to kill without tilling.
6. Nutrient Accumulators
Mostly used in permaculture gardens, nutrient
accumulators are plant species that reach deep into the soil and collect
specific nutrients. They can be used by cutting the plants back and
using it as mulch in garden beds. Nutrient Accumulators save money by
reducing the number of soil amendments and help improve the
biodiversity.
7. Testing Soil
Sometimes the best thing you can do is to test your
soil to know what nutrients are missing from it. Soil testing can be
done via many methods. A soil test kit easily available in the market
will help you in identifying what all nutrients you need to improve the
quality of the soil. Many soil testing labs
are also available to help you do the work. A soil testing company has
professional and skilled staff who understand the health of soil in
detail.
Improving the quality of the soil not only helps you
grow healthy crops but also saves money and time. Quality soil can store
water, which can help in growing the crop easily. Nutrient-rich soil
means less use of pesticides. It helps balance soil surface temperature
and regulates the heat content of the soil. By using the above methods
or taking help from a soil testing lab, you can improve your soil and make it more healthy and happy!
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