Bulky materials of living origin maintain and improve soil structure- helping light soils hold on to food, and water; and heave soils to drain more effectively. Soil improvers may also supply plant foods, released as they are broken down by soil living creatures.

Bulky soil improvers have three fertility ratings, low, medium, and high. These guides are broad based indicators to the material’s nutrient value, especially nitrogen content, as the exact nutrient content of this type of material can vary quite widely.

Many bulky soil improvers such as garden and kitchen wastes and animal manures need to be composted before use to stabilize the plant nutrients they contain and to make them easier to apply.

Sources of Organic Soil Improvers- Recycling; one of the basic tenets of organic gardening, reduces the need to bring in outside additives and cuts down on the volume of ‘waste’ to be disposed of. It is almost never possible to be totally self-sufficient in a garden situation, but all bulky organic materials from the house and garden should be recycled for use in the garden.



These can be augmented with supplies bought from other appropriate sources, locally if possible. Commercial soil improvers, such as composted manures and plant wastes, can be purchased if you are unable to make enough of your own. If possible choose a product from a certifying organization. The word ‘organic’ is not sufficient on its own as that only states the material was living, not that it is necessarily suitable for an organic garden

 

Products that make improvements to the soil will further enhance and rebuild your soil. When we grow organically we combine basic gardening and farming procedures with an ethical philosophy of environmental preservation.

What makes organic growing different is that it uses only naturally-occurring materials for all phases of the growing operation--from improving the soil, fertilizing, and liming, to preventing and solving pest problems. The definition of "organic" excludes the use of synthetic chemicals on vegetables and other products grown for sale. In addition to compost and organic fertilizers the following amendments can make a difference in the final results of your garden or farm. Each of the following supplements is uniquely different and will provide everything you will need to make your soil the healthiest ever :  Organic Compost Plus , Lava Sand. ,  A-35 Organic Soil Conditioner, Soft Rock Phosphate , and Beneficial Fungi.

Application- All bulky organic soil improvers can be applied as mulch. Most can be dug into the soil. Keep them in the top 6-8in. (15-20cm), where the main feeding root of plants are at work and where good soil structure is most critical. Apply high and medium soil improvers in the spring and summer only. They will be wasted if applied in the winter

Be careful not to apply too much when adding nutrient rich material. Too much nitrogen for example, encourages leafy growth rather than fruit or flowers. Any excess may just be wasted, washed out of the soil and into the water supply. Let the performance of  the plant be your guide when applying soil improvers.