|
Using
Organic Matter in Home Gardens
Auburn, April 20---As
you plan your garden, one important consideration is what type of
organic matter you plan to incorporate into your garden soil.
Organic matter is the
decomposed state of material that was once living, says Mary Beth
Musgrove, a horticulturist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension
System.
 Organic
matter is also referred to as humus when in a finished composted
state.
How much organic matter
should be used in the garden? Actually, you can never get too much
of a good thing when it comes to incorporating organic matter into
garden soil, says Musgrove.
The primary reason for
adding organic matter to the garden is to improve drainage and
improve soil structure. Soil is made up of a mixture of different
sized particles, which include clay, sand and silt. Roots must grow
and move in the soil to obtain water and air.
Organic matter builds a
better soil structure for roots to forage for water, nutrients and
air.
Organic matter also
helps bind soil particles together in sandy soil. This helps prevent
water from flowing through too quickly.
There are several types
of organic matter that can be added to garden soil. The best,
easiest, and most economical and available organic matter is compost
from your own back yard.
Commercially packaged
sources of organic matter include manures, peat and composted
materials. Look for packages that indicate weed-free materials, adds
Musgrove.
Finely ground pine bark
also can be used as organic matter for garden soil. Exercise caution
when purchasing topsoil. You may not get what you think you are
getting. You may be introducing a crop of nutgrass or nutsedge into
the garden by using purchased topsoil.
SOURCE: Mary Beth
Musgrove, Extension Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension
System, (334) 844-5481
|
