Building up soil's organic content

In my previous article (see FW, 15 & 22 January 2021), I dealt with the chemical and organic fertilisers that need to be worked into the soil.

- Bill Kerr

These will not create healthy soil overnight, however; the organic content of the soil has to be increased over time. Importantly, the soil should contain active carbon in the form of soil organisms and decaying organic content; this will keep the plants healthy and productive.

How you choose to do this will be determined by what you grow and what is available (and, of course, what you can afford).

If you do not provide organic content in some form, the living organisms, and hence the level of precious humus you are trying to increase, will start to decline. This is a gradual process and might go unnoticed until production starts to decrease. To check the state of your soil, dig two spadefuls, one from the land and the other from the uncultivated grassy/weedy area near the fence line. Place them on the ground next to each other and compare the colour and structure.