What’s In Our Soil?

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We use composted manure from an animal sanctuary around the corner from us that has a diverse array of animals.  They were paying to haul the manure away so a nearby neighbor volunteered tractor, truck and land to haul it away and let it rest.  I’m grateful to have access that that precious stash.  As the manure and bedding breaks down slowly, it provides a rich supply of nutrients, body and active mycorrizae to the soil.  A small amount of real soil is also included for the natural minerals and nutrients that benefit plant growth.

Brix Blend Basalt helps mineralize the potting mix, enhancing nutrient uptake, improving soil structure, and promoting healthier plants.  It helps optimize the soil to aid in carbon and nitrogen capture and helping roots assimilate nutrients.

High calcium lime helps neutralize soil acidity, improving nutrient availability for plants and promoting more extensive root systems and thereby healthier, more vigorous plants.  It also enhances soil microbial activity and improves soil structure for improved water penetration and retention.

Bio char, a charcoal produced by pyrolysis, enhances soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability and carbon sequestering.  It provides tiny nooks and crannies for mychorrize to thrive.  Wood ash contains the concentrated minerals mined by the tree deep within the soil and concentrated to act as a fertilizer providing potassium, phosphorous and calcium.  It also helps raise soil pH and I use it to balance the pH of the final mix.

Kelp meal is a nutrient-rich soil amendment, providing essential macronutrients and micronutrients while also enhancing soil structure and promoting vigorous root development.  It improves a plant’s natural defenses against pests and diseases and increases its tolerance to environmental stress.  Nutrients include nitrogen phosphorus and potassium and micronutrients like iron, magnesium and zinc which are crucial for plant growth.  Kelp meal releases these nutrients gradually, providing a consistent and sustained supply to plants.  It also contains substances that bind to minerals, making them more available for plant uptake.  It helps improve soil aeration and water retention and reduces the risk of waterlogging and drought stress.  This superfood also stimulates beneficial microbial activity in the soil and contains natural growth hormones which promote root development and overall plant growth.

Earthworms digest organic matter in the soil and worm castings are what they leave behind after digesting them.  The digestion process transforms the organic matter into a nutrient-dense treat for plants.  Worm castings help improve soil structure, build soil fertility, boost microbial cation, protect against certain plant dieseases with chitinase - an enzyme, and improves water retention in soil.  

These three ingredients primarily add useful structure to the soil mix.  Perlite has a porous structure providing for better soil aeration.  It prevents waterlogging, keeps soil loose, and helps roots grow.  Vermiculate works to retain water and nutrients, helping the soil stay consistently moist, preventing it from compaction and helping to regulate pH, while adding minerals.  Coco Coir is a MUCH more sustainable choice than peat moss while providing the same benefits, helping retain water, improve aeration, and regulating pH.