Comments on: Soil – the Heart of Your Garden

By: Veggie Master

Veggie Master — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:45:22 +0000

Thanks, SoilJunkie, for your insight into the soil wave. I’m lucky to have very “alive” soil already in my garden so adding compost simply fuels the process. I can see how some soils could need the addition of certain supplements to get things going.

By: SoilJunkie

SoilJunkie — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:22:41 +0000

Adding compost is great but it is dead! There is a great source of minerals, micro nutrients and organic material but no “soil life”. Compost has been heated to kill out bacteria, fungi, nematodes, etc. all of which harvest the bound up nutrients in compost and exchange them with the plants. Compost will do very little besides holding moisture until it is activated! You need to activate with compost tea, organic fertilizers that feed beneficial bacteria, beneficial fungi with sugar and carbon. Once you get the soil wave going then you have healthy soil! Then the plants will thrive. (Soil wave: bacteria, fungi, nematodes, arthropods all constantly feeding/exchanging nutrients with on/with each other!)

By: Veggie Master

Veggie Master — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:42:22 +0000

Thanks for expanding on the subject of soil, Jim. An example of what you’re talking about is adding greensand to the soil when growing potatoes. Greensand is an organic amendment which adds necessary potassium. Kelp meal also helps potatoes grow strong and healthy. And you’re right, it’s always a good idea to get area-specific tips from local gardeners.

By: OrganicJim

OrganicJim — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:52:39 +0000

Your article is good but like many I read they are local specific. This country is very large with many different soil conditions and needs. Adding organic matter to the soil is necessary in all cases but the amount and how it is done and what needs to be in it varies. In desert areas 2% organic material can grow many things but that same 2% is on the very low end in other areas. In Florida and other areas of the south that are flat and warm snow is not a factor and runoff from higher ground is not a reality. The further south you go the faster fresh organic matter decomposes and need to be replenished.
Any time you are growing crops where you harvest and remove for use you are removing nutrients from the soil. These have to be replaced and the only way many of us can do that is by finding products that have these trace nutrients (elements) in them and hopefully in a plant-available form. National articles are good but learn to look to local information for your final needs.