{"id":11587,"date":"2014-12-05T14:34:49","date_gmt":"2014-12-05T14:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greensideup.ie\/?p=11587"},"modified":"2017-02-06T19:42:07","modified_gmt":"2017-02-06T19:42:07","slug":"3-ways-to-protect-garden-soil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greensideup.ie\/3-ways-to-protect-garden-soil\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Ways to Protect Garden Soil"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Three<\/a><\/h2>\n

How to Look After Garden Soil<\/h2>\n

Muck, dirt, clay, mud – all words I’ve heard people use to describe garden soil yet it’s such a valuable resource it deserves so much more. It’s easy to take soil for granted yet soil is a substance that provides us with all our basic needs, such as food, shelter and clothing.<\/p>\n

It takes *between a 100 and a 1,000 years<\/em> to form just one centimeter of soil<\/strong> yet our lack of understanding or knowledge about soil management can help to destroy that centimeter of soil <\/strong>within 1 to 10 years<\/strong>.<\/em> That’s quite startling given that most of the things we depend upon start their life in this incredible substance.<\/p>\n

Therefore, in no particular order, I’ve listed three basic soil requirements that will help you to protect your garden soil, so that it keeps giving its best in the future. There’s also a link at the end of this post to People for Soil, who are looking for signatures to help give soil a voice by asking the EU for specific regulations.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/a><\/strong>1. Add organic matter to your soil.<\/h2>\n

Adding organic matter to garden soil not only helps to add nourishment to it and increase plant health, it also benefits soil structure and texture which will \u00a0prevent soil erosion and aid drainage, helping to prevent vital nutrients washing away. Organic matter is decaying animal or plant material and can consist of homemade compost, well-rotted animal manure, leafmould or green manures.<\/p>\n

If you’re not already doing so, and if you have the space, start composting or collecting leaves now to make compost.\u00a0Here’s a link to a PDF which gives more information about composting<\/a>. Compost is free and a fantastic alternative or addition to well-rotted animal manures if you’re not sure where to source them.<\/p>\n

Just a note, avoid working the soil if it’s wet or frozen as this can damage soil structure too.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/a>

Green Manure ~ Rye<\/p><\/div>\n

2. Keep soil covered.<\/h3>\n

At last, a great reason NOT to be TOO TIDY in the garden.<\/p>\n

Plant roots such as those on weeds and green manures <\/a>help to protect soil structure and the fungal interactions that occur between plants and soil will help to nourish it. So don’t stress if you didn’t weed the garden before the onset of winter, you can now rest easy with the knowledge that those little weed roots are protecting your garden soil.<\/p>\n

3. Reduce or preferably stop using artificial chemicals and fertilisers on soil<\/h3>\n

Or better still,\u00a0switch to organic gardening methods<\/span><\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

Research is ongoing about the effects of artificial chemicals on soil health so far better to err on the side of caution until we know more.<\/p>\n

If you’re not sure, don’t add it. Stick to more natural fertilisers such as compost, seaweed, plant or animal based fertlisers until you’re more informed, and don’t forget to practice good Crop Rotation<\/a> practices.<\/p>\n