Putting together a sustainable and high quality bed of soil for organic gardening requires some soil testing to get the process rolling.
Once the testing of the soil is done, there will be sufficient information to assess exactly what kind of conditioners and additives should be included in a soil treatment plan.
Going forward, additional testing and improvement will be needed for organic farming, but the benefits will greatly outweigh the extra work.
Organic Gardening at Home
Creating sustainable soil for gardening organically means that you have to be able to replenish the topsoil of the garden.
One of the best substances to have for keeping the soil rich and healthy enough for an organic garden is a good supply of compost.
In addition to compost, it is good to have enzymes, earthworms, and beneficial microbes available to add into the soil mixture as well.
If a quality organic garden plot has been established, then it should be properly maintained for ongoing organic gardening by adding a healthy amount of compost to the soil regularly.
The easiest way to do this is to remove some of the garden topsoil at the end of a growing season, add a layer of compost on top, and then mix it into the dirt.
Backyard composting is a terrific way to improve your soil structure and also enhance moisture retention.
In the average compost heap there are billions of bacterial organisms that will grow, feed, reproduce and die. Through this life-cycle of the microorganisms, the organic waste material that has been added to the compost pile will be recycled into a robust organic fertilizer and effective soil conditioner.
Organic Gardening Benefits
Many people say that composting is truly the ultimate in recycling because it benefits the soil in so many ways and supports organic farming and gardening in its highest and best sense.
In addition to improving the structure of the soil and the moisture retention ability of the soil, composting also provides excellent aeration, full fertilization and nitrogen storage.
Composting also creates a beneficial pH balance in the soil, releases a stream of nutrients and supplies food for the beneficial microbial inhabitants in the earth.
Shredded alfalfa hay is one of the best types of material that you can add to your compost heap, and some say it is “the” secret to a great compost recipe.
Worms really thrive on alfalfa, making worm composting even more effective and faster, and it provides excellent mulch and soil additive components for your soil.
When you want to get your compost ready for your organic gardening undertaking, you should make the compost pile about four feet high and also about four feet wide as well.
It needs to be located in an area that allows for good drainage, and it should be surrounded with chicken wire, so it will have proper air circulation.
After about three to four months, your compost will be ready to mix in with the soil and begin working wonders for your garden.