Farmers know well the importance of healthy soil to maximum crop production, healthy animals and their livelihoods.
Backyard gardens, small farms and even large farms can be divided into two and a half acre parcels to evaluate the health of the soil. Soil sampling is like taking an x-ray of your soil and is the best way to get an accurate understanding of your soil condition. Always take soil samples before spending money on unnecessary fertilizer to maximize your investment.
A soil test will reveal if enough nutrients are available for good growth and in the right balance. Another factor is the ph or the acidity of the soil. Nutrients may be present in the soil for a particular crop or lawn but with an unsuitable ph, they are locked in the soil and unavailable for growth.
Your soil pH indicates the alkalinity or acidity in your soil. A neutral soil pH is 7. Alkaline soil pH is over 7 and acidic soil pH is under 7. A 6.4 soil pH is ideal for optimal growing conditions except for fruit trees.
While many just look at the pH, isn’t everything! Let’s review exactly what you should be looking for in your soil?
Nitrogen – Nitrogen is the most abundant element on earth and is needed by all plants. It can be positive or negative, depending on the product or carrier. Good sources of supplemental nitrogen are manure, compost and liquid fish.
Phosphorus – Phosphorus is the mineral that promotes rooting and fruiting. The best sources are straw manure, compost or rock phosphate. Rock Phosphate contains large amounts of trace elements like silica, which is a glue-like substance that, when broken down, helps prevent other nutrients from leaching away.
Potassium – Potassium supplies most of the bulk of plants; the thickness of leaves and stalks, fruit set, and fruit size. Too much potassium competes with calcium in plants and makes them more prone to disease and insects. Good sources of potassium are manure, compost, wood ashes and raw fertilizers.
Calcium – Plants, as well as humans and livestock, need a steady supply of calcium to maintain good health. Many other minerals react to calcium, in fact, calcium can pry clay particles apart in the soil and help loosen compaction. Calcium will increase the pH of your soil and is the most commonly used to correct major deficiencies in the soil.
Sulfur – Sulfur is the most effective mineral to use in high pH situations. Sulfur is needed to help utilize nitrogen and to make true protein.
Magnesium – Plants need magnesium to produce chlorophyll. Unfortunately, excess magnesium can cause soil compaction and reduce its availability to plants.
Remember to not ignore the additions of organic matter to improve the tilth of the soil and microbial activity as the chemical nature (the pH) is only one-third of a healthy soil equation.
Healthy productive soil may not be as valuable as gold but it is pretty darn close!