As a nursery owner and lifelong gardener I’m often asked what my favorite soil amendments are. Many of us are dealing with terrible soil depleted of nutrients with very little top-soil. With lots and lots of organic matter, over time we can turn almost any soil into beautiful black gold. Organic material is the key takeaway here, but there are many natural amendments that are incredibly useful.
Here are some of my Favorites:
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Yucca
Yucca extract is a popular soil amendment that can provide several benefits to plants. Yucca extract is made from the roots of the yucca plant, which contains saponins, natural compounds that can help to improve soil health and plant growth.
Here are some of the benefits of using yucca extract as a soil amendment:
- Improved water penetration: Yucca extract can help to improve soil structure, making it easier for water to penetrate the soil. This can help to prevent water from pooling on the surface and ensure that it reaches the roots of your plants.
- Increased nutrient uptake: Yucca extract can also help to improve nutrient uptake in plants. Saponins can break down the waxy coating on plant roots, making it easier for nutrients to be absorbed.
- Better resistance to stress: Yucca extract can help to improve plant tolerance to environmental stresses such as freezing cold, drought and excessive heat. This can greatly help your plants to better withstand challenging growing conditions and continue to thrive.
To use yucca extract as a soil amendment, you can mix it with water and apply it to the soil around your plants. You can also use it as a foliar spray to help improve nutrient uptake through the leaves of your plants. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and frequency to avoid overuse.
Safer Gro 722007-PT Natural Wet Plant Amendment
Biochar
Biochar is an amazing amendment with a rich history that can transform soil. It lasts decades, working to build the soil profile over time.
What is Biochar?
Biochar is a type of charcoal that is created by heating organic materials, such as wood, in the absence of oxygen. It has been used for thousands of years in various parts of the world, including the Amazon rainforest.
In the Amazon, indigenous people used biochar to improve soil fertility and agricultural yields. They created patches of rich soil, known as “terra preta,” by mixing biochar with other organic materials, such as animal bones and manure. The resulting soil was dark, fertile, and able to retain moisture and nutrients for extended periods of time.
The use of biochar in the Amazon dates back to at least 2,500 years ago. Studies have found evidence of terra preta soils in several areas throughout the Amazon. These soils cover an estimated 10% of the Amazon basin and can be several meters deep. The areas that have biochar are noticeably more fertile.
The discovery of terra preta has inspired modern-day researchers and farmers to explore the potential of biochar as a tool for sustainable agriculture. Biochar has been shown to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and sequester carbon in the soil, which can help mitigate climate change.
Overall, the use of biochar in the Amazon provides a fascinating example of how ancient agricultural practices can inform and inspire modern sustainability efforts.
Biochar improves soil fertility and holds moisture by creating a more hospitable environment for beneficial microbes and increasing organic matter. It can help our gardens to be more resilient in the face of climate stress.
Here’s how it works:
- Porous structure: Biochar has a highly porous structure, which provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms that live in soil. These microorganisms help to break down organic matter and make nutrients available to plants.
- Nutrient Retention & Slow Release: Biochar has a high capacity to adsorb and retain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This means that when biochar is added to soil, it can help to reduce nutrient leaching and increase the availability of nutrients to plants over time.
- pH balancing: Biochar has a neutral to alkaline pH, which can help to balance soil acidity. Soil that is too acidic or too alkaline can limit the availability of nutrients to plants.
- Water retention: Biochar has a high capacity to hold onto water, which can help to prevent soil from drying out during droughts and increase the amount of water available to plants.
Humic Acid
Humic acid is a natural organic substance formed from the decay of plant and animal matter. It is rich in carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Humic acid is found in soil, peat, and other organic matter, and is an important component of the earth’s carbon cycle.
In gardening, humic acid is often used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and fertility. It can help to improve the soil’s water-holding capacity, as well as its ability to hold onto nutrients and release them slowly over time. This can help to reduce nutrient leaching and runoff, and can also help to improve plant growth and yield.
Humic acid is often applied to gardens in the form of granular or liquid fertilizers, which are applied to the soil or directly to plants. It can also be added to compost piles to help speed up the decomposition process, improving the quality of the compost.
In addition to its benefits for soil and plant health, humic acid has also been shown to have other potential benefits for the environment and human health. It can help to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality in ponds, aquariums and bodies of water.
Overall, if you are looking to improve the health and productivity of your garden, adding humic acid to your soil may be a good option to consider.
Here’s a wonderful product that combines both Humic acid and Biochar.
The Andersons HumiChar Organic Soil Amendment with Humic Acid and Biochar
The humic acid and biochar in HumiChar is beneficial to all soil types. Both of these organic materials will not cause harm from over application like a fertilizer. They can be applied at any time, in any amount and as often as desired. Beneficial to all soil types. Both of these organic materials can be applied at any time, in any amount and as often as desired.
Turface:
Turface is one of the most amazing products to improve drainage in containers and garden plants. It is simply expanded calcined clay. It improves drainage and aeration without breaking down over time like perlite. I make my own potting soil for all my nursery plants and usually add a small amount of Turface or pumice. It allows air pockets for healthy root structure and has some water absorbing qualities that are slowly released back to the plant, helping to regulate moisture. It’s usually used in Ball-parks, golf courses and public fields to break up heavy clay soil, improve drainage and prevent compaction. I often mix in a handful in when planting new plants in the landscape. It helps break up my heavy clay soil, making it a much more hospitable environment for plant growth and root development.
I encourage you to source it locally wherever you live. I buy mine locally from an irrigation supply in 50LB bags. Its cheaper that way. If you can’t find it locally, here are links to purchase Turface online in small quantities and in bulk:
Turface for Plants – MVP – 2 Quart Bag
Turface Regular Mvp Model 50lb Bag
Seaweed
Seaweed is one of the best fertilizers for your garden. It’s extremely high in nutrients and micronutrients. It contains over 40 vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients. Seaweed breaks down readily into a bioavailable form your plants can easily absorb.
There are hormones present in seaweed that stimulate root growth. The alginic acid in seaweed forms a filmy layer on plant foliage and roots creating an environment which makes it easier for plants to absorb water-soluble vitamins and minerals.’
If you’re lucky enough to live near the ocean simply gather and rinse in the ocean and bag it up. Spread it generously around your garden. You can dig trenches and bury it or allow it to remain on the surface to deter slugs. Slugs and other bugs dislike the salt content. Making it a natural pest deterrent. Seaweed breaks down readily, releasing nutrients rapidly.
There are also commercial forms for your convenience. They are usually found in granular or liquid form.
Liquid Seaweed for Plants (32 oz) Quart
Water Crystals
Water storing crystals can be used for indoor and outdoor plants to help reduce stress and protect them from heat and drought. When the water storing crystals are mixed with your potting soil, they swell, absorbing water and slowly releasing it back to your plants.
I use these in hanging baskets that dry out too fast, or for plants that have high water needs, like Gunneras or Astilbes. They reduce the amount and frequency of watering needed, helping your plants withstand drought conditions. They are contraindicated for plants that appreciate drying out before watering, like agastache, sedums, manzanita etc. Water crystals can be a wonderful tool to help stablish plants in the landscape. Many plants need water for the 1st year or so until they establish a deep root system. The crystals help with that and then they deteriorate after about 3 yrs, turning to harmless soil additions with small amounts of nutrients. Use sparingly as they puff up to a couple hundred times their size and can puff up so much that they bubble up out of the pot like an alien spawn.
Miracle-Gro Water Storing Crystals 12 oz
Epsom Salt
Benefits of Epsom Salt for Plants:
- Provides nutrients: Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfur, which are two essential nutrients that plants need to grow and thrive. Magnesium plays a key role in chlorophyll production, which is essential for photosynthesis, while sulfur helps with the production of proteins and enzymes.
- Corrects magnesium deficiencies: If soil is deficient in magnesium, plants can suffer from yellowing leaves and stunted growth. Epsom salt can be used to correct magnesium deficiencies and promote healthy plant growth.
- Improves nutrient uptake & boosts plant growth: Epsom salt improves the uptake of other nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, by plants. This is because magnesium is required for the proper uptake and utilization of these nutrients. By providing essential nutrients and improving nutrient uptake, Epsom salt can help to boost plant growth and increase yields.
- Enhances flower and fruit production: Epsom salt has been shown to enhance flower and fruit production in some plants. This is because magnesium plays a key role in the production of chlorophyll, which is essential for plant growth and development.
- Improves soil structure: Epsom salt can also help to improve soil structure by increasing the number of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, helping to improve soil fertility and reducing soil compaction.
Use Epsom salts sparingly as overuse can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil, which can be harmful to plants. Additionally, not all plants require Epsom salt. A soil test may be useful.
Azomite
Loss of topsoil and soil depletion are a giant problem. Effecting not only the health of plants, but also the nutrients in our food. When soil becomes depleted of essential nutrients, it can impact the quality and nutritional value of the crops that are grown in it, impacting our health by reducing the availability of essential vitamins and minerals in our diets. If our goal is to create healthy nutrient dense food for ourselves and our family then Azomite is a valuable addition.
Azomite is a natural mineral product that is derived from volcanic ash. It contains over 70 trace minerals and is used as a soil amendment to improve soil health and plant growth. It can help to replenish many of the micronutrients in depleted soils.
Azomite can benefit us by making our food more nutrient dense and it benefits and our gardens by:
- Replenishing essential minerals: Azomite contains a wide range of essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron and so many micronutrients. These minerals are important for plant growth and development, and a lack of any one of them can lead to stunted growth or other problems.
- Improving soil structure
- Enhancing plant growth: Enhances plant growth and increases yields. It has been shown to be particularly effective for improving the growth of fruits and vegetables.
- Increasing disease resistance
- Boosting nutrient uptake
- Increasing soil biodiversity
Azomite can help to create a healthy soil ecosystem that is better able to support plant growth and improve the nutrient value of our food crops.
Azomite Raw Supply Organic Trace Mineral Powder 44LB Micronized
Compost
Benefits of Compost include:
- Nutrient-rich: Compost is an excellent source of nutrients for plants. It contains a range of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. These nutrients are slowly released into the soil, providing a steady supply of food for plants.
- Improves soil structure: Compost improves soil structure by increasing its ability to hold water and nutrients. It also improves soil aeration, helping roots to grow deeper and accessing more nutrients.
- Enhances soil fertility: Compost increases the fertility of the soil by providing a rich environment for microorganisms to thrive. These microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and other beneficial organisms, break down organic matter in the soil, releasing nutrients.
- Reduces soil erosion: Compost helps to reduce soil erosion by binding soil particles together. This reduces the likelihood of soil being washed or blown away, which can cause problems for plants and the environment.
- Suppresses plant diseases: Compost contains beneficial microorganisms that can help to suppress plant diseases. These microorganisms compete with harmful organisms for resources, preventing them from growing and causing damage to plants.
- Reduces the need for fertilizers: Compost reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can be expensive and have negative impacts on the environment. Using compost instead of fertilizers can also help to reduce the amount of chemicals that enter our waterways.
Overall, compost is an indispensable resource for improving soil and plant health.
Coffee grounds
Can benefit plants and build soil in several ways, including:
- Nutrient-rich: Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen which is an essential nutrient for growth. Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll which is necessary for photosynthesis. Nitrogen is important for plant growth and the development of healthy leaves and stems.
- Soil conditioner: Coffee grounds improve soil texture and structure by adding organic matter to the soil. Organic matter is important for retaining moisture, improving soil drainage, and creating a healthy environment for beneficial microorganisms.
- pH balancing: Coffee grounds have a slightly acidic pH, which can help balance alkaline soils. Adding coffee grounds to alkaline soils can help reduce the soil pH and make it more acidic, which is beneficial for plants that prefer acidic soil.
- Pest deterrent: Coffee grounds can also help repel certain pests, such as slugs, snails, and ants. The caffeine in coffee grounds is toxic to these pests and can help keep them away from plants.
They make a great addition to compost or you can sprinkle them directly on the soil around your plants, being careful not to add too much at once. Too much coffee grounds can create an overly acidic soil pH and cause problems for some plants.
Mycorrhizae
I sprinkle beneficial Mycorrhizae in the planting hole whenever I transplant a new plant baby to my landscape to help it establish a healthy root system.
Mycorrhizae are mutually beneficial relationships between certain fungi and plants roots. Mycorrhizae form when the fungus colonizes the roots of a plant, creating a network that can extend far beyond the reach of the plant’s roots.
This beneficial fungi can help improve the health and growth of plants, forming a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, helping them obtain nutrients and water more efficiently. This can lead to improved plant growth and yield, providing your plants with stronger and healthier roots! It can decrease transplant shock, improve nutrient uptake, increase plant yields and enhance resilience to environmental stress or disease. Additionally, it can improve soil structure and fertility, making it easier for plants to grow and thrive. By encouraging a strong root system, plants establish faster.
One way to promote mycorrhizae development naturally in a garden is to use compost or other organic matter to improve the soil. Additionally, avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can help to preserve the natural balance of the soil ecosystem and allow mycorrhizae to flourish. A small amount of choice Mycorrhizal strains also helps to establish a healthy root system for new plant babies.
Here’s the product I use for new transplants.
Myco Bliss – Mycorrhizal Inoculant for Plants 1lb
To use, I simply sprinkle a dry spoonful directly to the root-ball when planting, mix it around the planting hole or pour it into the soil after mixing with water.
Thanks for reading.
What are some of your favorite soil amendments? Let me know in the comment section below.
Author: Stephanie Beach