How Do You Maintain Organic Soil Fertility?
Plants grown in soil maintained under an organic system receive benefits from delicate microorganisms that are easily disrupted through the use of chemical fertilizers and soil improvers. Healthy organic soil is full of life, from tiny bacteria and fungi to worms and beetles. Using chemicals to encourage plant growth and health can kill beneficial soil microorganisms and insects. Organic gardeners use several practical techniques to maintain and improve their soil’s fertility and structure, including soil improvements, good plant care and crop rotation and cover cropping. Compost kitchen and garden waste along with green and woody prunings to create a medium fertility organic soil improver, as advised by the Henry Doubleday Research Association’s “Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening.” Dig compost into planting rows or spread around the base of trees or over lawns to add nutrients and feed microorganisms. Add high fertility organic soil improvers, such as worm compost and animal manures,
