Replenishment of soil

Fertile soil is one of the foundations of a healthy and productive garden. It provides structure, minerals,
and a balance of living organisms and decaying organic matter to plant roots. In effect, soil is a complex,
living system. It can be sick, healthy, or even dead, depending on conditions. In order to be of greatest
benefit to our plants, the soil must be nutrient-rich and filled with living organisms. Many areas of the
world, however, suffer from mineral depletion and loss of topsoil. With the application of compost,
cover crops, and other soil management techniques, gardeners can create a fertile soil environment,
which can make all the difference between a failed crop and an abundant and lasting harvest.

Common Missing Nutrients In Depleted Soil

The chemical processes that determine a soil’s fertility are complex, and deficiencies may be
difficult to determine. Soils that are heavily fertilized may be rich in macronutrients, for
example, but very poor in microorganisms and trace minerals. Following are some of the more
common minerals missing in today’s depleted soils:

 Nitrogen: One of the three plant macronutrients, nitrogen leeches easily from the soil and
needs to be consistently replenished. It also must be in a certain form in order for plant
roots to use it. Although commercially added to the soil with ever-increasing amounts of
fertilizer, nitrogen can remain available throughout all growing seasons through crop
rotation, using compost, and other soil management techniques.
 Calcium: Calcium plays an important role in a plant’s structure and growth. Recent
studies performed in the eastern U.S. have found that calcium levels are dropping rapidly.
Usually, calcium is returned to the soil through weathered rocks and decaying matter, but
modern agriculture, erosion, and acid rain has stripped this mineral away.
 Manganese: Vital for photosynthesis and other processes, this micronutrient can become
depleted or unavailable to plants when soils are too wet, too high in organic matter, or too
high in other elements, such as iron. Alkaline soils, such as those found in much of the
southwest US, also often lack this mineral.
 Carbon: This element is critical for living microbes to survive. It is used and returned to
the soil through organic matter.

Organic Material

Organic material is the vital binding agent that ensures that soil minerals are available for plants
to absorb through their roots. Alive and rich in carbon and other vital nutrients, organic materials
such as compost and other decaying matter adds structure to the soil, improves drainage, and
helps plants fight off disease and pests.

Many amendments and techniques are available for gardeners to use to introduce healthy organic
material back into depleted soil. Tilling or layering compost, and planting cover crops are all
popular choices. Keep in mind, however, that rejuvenating the soil is a process that can take
anywhere from weeks to years. Staying consistent and understanding the soil’s composition is
important to ensuring success.

Compost

Nothing introduces living organic matter to the soil easier or more effectively than compost. In
essence, compost is simply decomposed organic material. The decomposition process that
creates compost is driven by a vast array of insects and microorganisms—creatures lacking in
nutrient-poor soils. Compost is beneficial to soil and plants in several ways. It reintroduces living
organisms ranging from centipedes to bacteria, improves soil structure, adds nutrients, and
provides a healthy environment for plant roots. Households can vastly improve their soil by
turning waste into black gold, virtually eliminating the need to depend on commercial fertilizers.

Many composting techniques are in use today, and many involve only a bucket and shovel.
Compost can be tilled or layered on the soil, and can take anywhere from several days to several
years to make, depending on the climate and technique used.

Compost Tea

Compost tea is simply compost soaked in water for 3-7 days. Although low in macronutrients,
compost tea is rich in micronutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Compost tea can be watered
into the soil or used as a foliar spray for a quick plant boost. It is very effective in preventing
diseases, as the microorganisms out-compete disease-causing bacteria, and is especially popular
in organic gardens around the world.

Bokashi

Bokashi is the technique of inoculation to create compost. Nearly odorless and effective within
days, bokashi is especially popular in making compost from kitchen scraps. It relies on effective
microorganisms (EMs) to decompose the material. These EMs are introduced as a living culture,
usually with wheat bran, and work to break down waste through fermentation. Developed in
Japan, bokashi is gaining in popularity. For depleted soils, bokashi composts can speed up the
process of rejuvenation.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a planned order of planting throughout several growing seasons. When applied,
crop rotation can prevent further soil depletion and help ensure a lasting healthy soil
environment. Crop rotation is also an effective technique to dramatically increase yields and
prevent crop loss due to pests or disease. The idea is to plant crops of different genera each
season, and to never plant one crop in the same place two seasons in a row.

Cover Crops

The use of cover crops is a technique that uses certain plants in between growing seasons to
rejuvenate the soil. Although traditionally used on large-scale farms, these special crops can
benefit any size farm or garden. Cover crops, also known as “green manure” or “green mulch,”
prevent erosion and mineral leeching, fix soil nitrogen, increase living organic matter, and
control pests and diseases.

Cover crops are usually planted in late fall after harvest, and then cut down and tilled into the
soil before planting in spring. However, they can also be planted right next to food crops in the
middle of their growing season in order to suppress weeds and attract beneficial insects. Because
these crops grow rapidly to out-compete weeds, it’s important to cut down and kill them before
they set seeds and spread. Once their dead leaves and stems turn brown, they can be tilled into
the soil. Be sure to wait a few weeks before planting anything in these beds, so the green mulch
completely decomposes.

Useful Cover Crops

 Mustard: Contains high levels of glucosinolate, compounds that are naturally toxic to
pests. Very effective against soil nematodes. Mustard’s vigorous growth also introduces
plenty of organic material into the soil.
 Legumes: A group that includes alfalfa, peas, and lupines. Not only do these cover crops
bring nitrogen back into the soil, but they also have root nodules that house
Bradyrhizobium bacteria that act as nitrogen fixers.
 Clover: Clover’s dense, low-growth habit also makes it an ideal green mulch,
suppressing weeds and keeping the soil cool and moist for food crops such as corn. Many
varieties can handle foot traffic and full shade. Clover also fixes nitrogen into a form
available to plant roots.