What are soil conditioners and amendements?
Conditioners and amendments are considered the same when it comes to adding them to soils. Both are used for improving soil texture, structure, a soil property like pH, or nutrient holding capacity. Conditioners are usually organic materials spread over the top of the soil and tilled or turned under to the depth of the root system — about 6 inches. In contrast, most fertilizers are not considered amendments since they do not contribute to the soil’s tilth or improve the physical properties of the soil. Likewise, mulches are not amendments either, since they are added to the top of the soil as a barrier to moisture loss, to help in controlling weeds and protect the plant from damaging low temperatures. Although many mulches also eventually work into the soil and improve it’s tilth, their purpose is related to the surface application and not to their incorporation. The types of conditioners commonly added include leaf mold, compost, sawdust, wood chips, chopped leaves, hay or straw, pea
