Irrigating a heavy clayey soil and a sandy soil in the same way would result in very different results. Good soil management is critical for crop productivity. Poor management can lead to erosion, loss of fertility, deterioration of soil structure, and poor crop yields. Tilling : Mechanical manipulation of soil loosens the soil, and promotes aeration, porosity and water-holding capacity. It allows a gardener to incorporate soil amendments such as OM and lime. On the other hand, tilling tends to decrease aggregation, causing compaction compacted soils are dominated by few, small pores.
It can take years to overcome the damage caused by overtilling. Managing pH : Soil pH regulates the availability of plant nutrients. Soil pH can be lowered by adding some kinds of organic matter or sulfur or sulfates; this is not often needed in Maine soils. Soil pH can be raised by adding lime or some types of fertilizer or wood ash. It is difficult to overcome the negative effects of applying excessive amounts of these materials. Test first! Mulching : Mulch is a material that covers the soil.
Organic mulches such as compost, aged manure or bark chips decompose to supply OM and nutrients in the long term. Inorganic mulches such as stone or plastic sheet materials have little effect on nutrient levels and do not contribute OM to the soil. All mulches affect soil temperature by insulating or transferring heat, and all mulches help soils retain moisture. Managing OM levels : In natural areas, plants and animals die, decompose and replenish OM in the soil.
On the other hand, in developed landscapes where this natural cycle is interrupted, gardeners must implement processes to replenish soil OM. Leaves from deciduous trees can be left in place to decompose; plant debris can be composted and incorporated back into gardens as OM; and plant residue, green manures and animal manures can be incorporated directly into the soil. Some tillage is generally required to incorporate this material into the soil.
Adding huge amounts of OM at one time can cause nutrient problems, especially if the material is not fully composted.
Three elements, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, are essential to plant growth and are supplied by air and water. The other essential elements are referred to as plant nutrients , and are provided by the soil, or are added as fertilizers, and enter plants almost exclusively through the roots. These plant nutrients are divided into two groups.
Those required by plants in large amounts are called macronutrients ; these are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. Plant micronutrients , needed in tiny amounts include iron, chlorine, zinc, molybdenum, boron, manganese, copper, sodium and cobalt.
Macronutrients and micronutrients are all critical to normal plant growth and development; they are simply needed in different amounts. Organic fertilizer sources include compost, aged manure, rock phosphate, soybean meal, and fish meal. Cover crops also add OM to the soil. Inorganic fertilizer products are also widely available, either as single-nutrient or multi-nutrient products.
Fertilizers are labeled as slow-release or soluble. Slow-release fertilizers provide nutrients over a period of time, as they break down or decompose. Soluble fertilizers are fast-release, and many are dissolved into water and then irrigated onto crops. Nutrients can be provided by many products and practices. Price, availability, ease of use, needed equipment, time and philosophy should be considered when selecting the best fertilizer and application method for any situation.
Occasionally, in severe nutrient deficiency situations, some micronutrients are sprayed onto the foliage of crops, but most are applied to the soil and taken up by roots. In hydroponic production systems, nutrients are dissolved in water and washed over the exposed roots of plants. Most soils have at least some residual nutrients.
Only a soil test can assess this. Fertilizing without the results of a soil test leads to a waste of money and product, and can exacerbate an existing nutrient imbalance. In addition, sometimes nutrients are present in sufficient supply but are unavailable because of too high or too low pH. A soil test can reveal this, and a soil lab professional or crop consultant can recommend practices to resolve such problems.
Some gardeners do not say that they garden, but rather that they work the soil. This reveals an understanding that good soil conditions are essential to support productive plant growth. Here are a few gardening tips related to soil management:.
To amend a heavy clayey soil, add OM, not sand. To amend a light sandy soil, add OM, not clay. Most ornamental landscape plants woody trees and shrubs, and herbaceous perennials and annuals are best fertilized in spring. Fertilizing late in the season can lead to a late-season flush of growth that does not adequately harden off before winter.
Most houseplants are best fertilized at the rate recommended on the product label in spring and summer, and at half that rate in fall and winter. Soil textural type has a great influence on the available habitat for soil organisms. In addition to the need for suitable habitat, all soil organisms require some type of organic material to use as an energy and carbon source, that is to say they require food.
An abundant supply of fresh organic materials will ensure a robust population of soil organisms. Question 4: Soil is home for an enormous variety of living organisms plants, insects, microorganisms, etc. Which of the following soil properties will have the greatest influence on the ability of the soil to provide a suitable habitat for these organisms?
Soils are the base material for roads, homes, buildings, and other structures set upon them, but the physical properties of different soil types are greatly variable. The properties of concern in engineering and construction applications include: bearing strength, compressibility, consistency, shear strength, and shrink-swell potential. These engineering variables are influenced by the most basic soil physical properties such as texture, structure, clay mineral type, and water content.
Landscaping applications range in scale from bridge and roadway construction around highway interchanges to courtyards and greenspaces around commercial sites to the grading and lawns of residential housing developments.
In all these instances, both the physical and ecological functions of soils must be considered. Figure 6. Exposure of soil at a construction site creates potential for soil erosion by water, wind, or both.
Eroded soil pollutes waterways and causes sedimentation of ponds and reservoirs. Image courtesy of Tim Kettler. Question 5: Soil physical properties have a profound influence on their behavior and function within an ecosystem. The type of solid soil particles textural class and the amount and size of the empty spaces between them porosity and structure determine how a soil will behave when used as foundations for buildings and roads.
Which of the following soil properties will be of greatest interest to an engineer designing a roadway or building foundation? Soil serves as a: medium for plant growth, regulator of water supplies, recycler of raw materials, habitat for soil organisms, and landscaping and engineering medium.
Soil Function: Medium for plant growth As an anchor for plant roots and as a water holding tank for needed moisture, soil provides a hospitable place for a plant to take root. Looks Good! Correct: The ability of a soil to store and supply nutrients is directly related to the clay and organic matter content of the soil.
Soil Function: Regulator of Water Supplies As rain or snow falls upon the land, the soil is there to absorb and store the moisture for later use. Fine texture, low organic matter Incorrect: Check the information in the paragraph above this question to find which textures and organic matter contents tend toward high water-holding capacities. Fine texture, high organic matter Correct: Both fine texture and high organic matter contribute to the ability of soil to retain water.
She specializes in topics concerning health, crafts, family and lifestyles. What in Soil Helps Flowers Grow? Home Guides Garden Garden Care. By Molly Allman. Related Articles. Soil's Function Soil has three main functions in a garden: to anchor plant roots, supply water and provide minerals. Organic Matter Organic matter in soil is decayed plant and animal material known as humus, an important component for fertile soil. Minerals Flowers need certain amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, known as NPK, and other minerals.
Alkalinity The pH level of the soil indicates its alkalinity. According to Soils. The best china dishes are made from soil. Soil is the foundation of our buildings, roads, houses, and schools. In fact, soil affects how buildings are made. At Holganix we revolutionize the way the world grows by harnessing the power of soil microbes.
Our products are used by farmers to increase crop yields and by landscapers and golf courses to reduce their need for fertilizer and pesticides. We know soils are important and we know why we should be grateful for healthy soils. But, how do soils work? And, what does healthy soil look like? Robert Neidermyer. How the soil food web supports healthy crops. The power behind soil microbes and what they do to build resilient crops.
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