Page 17 - Oundle Life September 2023

SOIL
HEALTH
National Allotment Society
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving allotment. Whether you’re a seasoned allotmenteer or a beginner, understanding the key indicators of healthy soil and adopting practices to improve it can significantly enhance your gardening success.
Fortunately, identifying healthy soil doesn’t require specialised knowledge. Healthy soil should have an earthy and fresh smell, devoid of rancid or stagnant odours. When squeezed, it should feel moist, slightly spongy and exhibit a bit of give. It should not be excessively wet or dry, dripping with water, or crumble away like sand.
To address various soil problems and enhance soil health, adding organic matter is the key. Mulching offers a simple and effective solution and not only improves soil health but also prevents water evaporation, reducing labour and water costs.
These six principles can contribute to soil health:
1. Increase organic matter content.
2. Cover the soil to prevent exposure.
3. Minimise soil disturbance, by adopting a
no-dig gardening approach.
4. Reduce pesticide and fungicide use.
5. Grow a diverse selection of plants to enhance biodiversity.
6. Avoid soil compaction caused by heavy machinery or excessive foot traffic.
Mulching: Mulching involves applying a
layer of organic matter on top of the soil
rather than digging it in. It conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds and feeds beneficial organisms. Mulch can be made from compost, straw, wood chips, grass clippings, manure, or any other available organic material. Aim for
a layer of mulch several inches thick, or even thicker if possible.
Building Up Biomass and Organic Matter: Soil biomass refers to anything that is alive or was recently alive, including decomposing matter and the products of decay. Maximising organic matter content supports soil health. Biomass can be increased by adding organic matter through mulching or decomposing compost.
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