Soil amendments are additional elements placed in the soil such as organic compost, natural fertiliser, peat moss, or manure to improve the soil’s capacity to support plant life. Fertilisers only add nutrients to the soil. Peat moss makes soil texture and drainage better for plants, but adds no nutrients. Organic compost improves the soil’s texture and drainage while at the same time adding nutrients. Gardeners can have the choice of choosing only organic compost or a combination of two or all three, perhaps even adding mulch as a soil amendment.
Why is organic compost the best soil amendment?
Adding compost to your garden soil is a win-win for your plants. The amended soil enhances soil health and greatly benefits the plants. However, adding too much compost as a soil amendment may cause certain problems with specific plants.
Whether purchasing organic compost at your local landscape supplies store or making your own, always ask for professional advice for the correct soil to compost ratio to optimise the advantages of compost.
While some soil amendments provide one or two advantages, compost benefits the soil in more ways while providing nutrients that will enhance the soil for years to come. When the compost slowly breaks down in the soil, it releases a lot of macro- and micro-nutrients. This also feeds the beneficial biological organisms in the soil, while increasing the porosity of the soil to help conserve moisture.
Mixing in the compost
Some garden professionals may recommend that the compost must be spread on top and not mixed in the soil. The digging may disturb the delicate mycorrhizal fungi that help plants access nutrients from the soil. However, if you’re mixing clay with sandy soil to improve the garden soil, mixing the compost with the soil will enhance the soil without disrupting the fungi.
Over time, rain, earthworms, and Mother Nature’s actions will wash the compost into the soil and within reach of the plant’s roots. If you are planting in pots or containers, mix in 1 part soil with 1 part compost. For instance, if you have 3 inches of soil, mix in 3 inches of compost as well.
Labrador Landscape Supplies
The right type of soil mixed with organic compost will make all the difference, whether you’re growing decorative plants or a vegetable garden, in soil beds or as potting plants. The professionals at Labrador Landscape Supplies will always provide the right help and advice for everyone with a garden on the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas. You can also get high-quality garden and landscape supplies and materials such as mulch, sand, soil, pebbles and stones, and much more. Call us now on 07 5537 2841 or visit https://landscape-supply.com.au/.