In Australia, soils are typically fragile, dry and lack the nutrients that encourage growth. Hence, growing crops in the harsh climate of Australia can be a challenging task. Studies in horticulture are finding effective ways to enrich soil with the right minerals for effective growth without the use of chemicals that are not sustainable long-term. In this article we’ll discuss ways that you can improve your soil fertility to boost the yield and quality of your crops.
What Makes Soil Fertile?
Fertile soil usually has a certain degree of organic matter that enhances the structure of the soil, adequate levels of soil moisture, adequate levels of nutrient retention and a pH level of around 6 or 7. Just like animals need food, plants require nutrient-rich soil for growth. A deficiency in different kinds of nutrients will lead to a weakened plant. For example, soil deficiency in nitrogen will cause yellow leaves and crippled growth.
How Can I Improve Soil Fertility?
Soil fertility restoration is the process of replacing the missing nutrients from your soil. These lost nutrients must be substituted so your plants have the best chance of reaching maturity. Soil fertility can also be restored by using organic fertilizer and organic mulches. These methods have long been used to increase the productivity of the land a crop is being grown on. Using the correct type of fertilizer for your soil type is paramount. Organic fertilizer does not contain any harmful substances that can harm the soil. Instead of using chemicals, this is a method of restoring soil fertility that is healthy for your crops.
Companies like Soil Charge offer certified organic liquid which adds minerals and nutrients to soil. It’s extremely effective for feeding the roots of your crops and contains multiple bio-active ingredients that aren’t available with traditional soil fertilisers.
Another method of restoring soil fertility is the use of compost. This method is one which uses waste material which is environmentally friendly and extremely beneficial in improving the soil fertility. Other useful materials that can be composted include leaves, wood shavings and pine needles.
The Different Types of Soil
There are four main types of soil that vary significantly in nutritional value, size and density. These soil types are:
- Clay soils – Clay soils are referred to as heavy soils and they’re highly fertile, containing large nutritional value. However, clay soils tend to drain slowly and take a long time to warm up. It can be a very challenging soil to work with.
- Silt soils – Easily compacted soil comprised highly of medially sized soil structures and drain well.
- Sandy soil – Warm up quickly and can be easy to work with. However, the quick drainage means your crop will require constant watering to keep it hydrated.
- Chalky soils – high degree of calcium carbonate and alkaline.
Where Can I Find More Information on Soil Fertility?
Contact your local soil fertilizer suppliers for more information on what sort of soil fertility restoration techniques will work best for you in the climate you’re growing your crops in. If you’d prefer to order your products online, the great news is that there’s multiple masterclass tutorials out there to help you boost the quality and yield of your crop.