Healthy soil is sustainable soil – there’s no arguing about that. With good soil, you will be getting better results year on year, and most probably – with fewer costs. This is why it’s important to “listen” to your soil’s needs and take care of it properly.
We compiled a short guide to good practices you can start incorporating today!
Get your soil tested and adjust it accordingly
Get started by getting to know the components of the soil, what it has plenty of and what it needs to be supplemented with. You will find out the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, its PH levels and organic matter levels.
This will help you find out what needs to change so that you can get the best of your soil situation. It’s important to note that almost every type of soil needs adjustments from time to time since you’re working with it and constantly making use of its nutrients. And constantly taking them away by harvesting, right?
Pick the right fertilizer (the right one for you, that is!)
Once you know what the soil needs, it’s time to pick the right mixture of nutrients in the right form and ratio. There are more than 15 nutrients that plants need, and most fertilizers give you only 3-5 of them. So, conventional or organic?
Conventional fertilizers are cheaper, easier to get hold of and more economical. On the other hand, you certainly won’t get the best results using only this type.
Organic fertilizers are more expensive, more difficult to find and you’ll need more in terms of quantity. But the quality and the results are worth it!
Some people use a mixture of both – a wise decision if you have to take care of larger plots. For example, if your soil needs more potassium, get potassium sulfate – but then continue with organic matter.
Organic fertilizers are best homegrown. If you have access to manure or have considered composting, go for it – this is the natural way things have happened for ages!
Master the art of cover crops
Crop rotation and the use of cover crops is trending recently. And it’s no surprise since these methods have proven to be an amazing way to improve soil quality and keep it in top shape. Whether you’ll choose to rotate crops on an annual basis, or only use cover crops in winter, depends on the best practices in your region. Consult an experienced farmer in your area to get first-hand advice – they will know what works best.
Consider the no-till approach
Tilling is considered aggressive by some farmers, while others embrace it fully. The truth is, if you use the soil properly and keep track of its needs, the no-till approach can save you time and resources.
“No-till” means you add the fertilizing materials to the top layer of the soil and let them decompose naturally. You’ll have to wait a bit to reap the benefits, but you will know that every bit of the soil is taken care of with the exclusive help of the best natural fertilizers – earthworms.
What do you do to keep the soil healthy?
