Soil-Building, Compost, and Nutrients

The primary nutrients required by plants are as follows: Macronutrients Micronutrients Let’s take a look at some commonly-used amendments and nutrient sources in organic gardening, as well as rough estimates of their nutrient percentages. Organic Gardening Amendments Nutrient Content Amendment Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Sulfur (S) Carbon (C) Hydrogen […]

As you may know, Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) always go together when amending soil, because one aids in the absorption of the other. Scouring the internet for Calcium:Magnesium application ratios will yield suggestions ranging from 2:1 to 8:1. Like everything in gardening though, it’s worth running your own experiments and developing your own ratios.

Fermented plant juice is a concept derived from the Korean Natural Farming (KNF) method developed by Master Han Kyu Cho. As the name suggests, plants are fermented to create a “juice” – which can then be diluted and applied to soils (as a soil drench) and plants (as a foliar spray). The essential concept is

Being used to seeing plants grow in soil, I often find folks puzzled at how plant cuttings can survive in just water. If a plantlet can survive for months in a cup of water on a window sill, why even waste money buying soil in the first place? Let’s talk about how plant cuttings can

Did you know that soil is naturally hydrophobic? That’s right, once soil dries out it it can become difficult to rehydrate. If the soil contains peat moss or coco peat, such as seed-starting or planting mix, this can be doubly true. Peat moss and coco peat are especially hydrophobic when dry. Not to worry, though!

If you’re an organic gardener and are curious what the best cover crops for Tucson are, you’re in the right place. And if you’re in Zone 9a in a different location, this may give you some good ideas for your area. The Sonoran Desert has a very unique climate, which is quite different from the

If you are an organic gardener, you may be familiar with cover crops. Do you know what undercropping is, though? This is not the most common term you’ll hear in the regenerative gardening world, though it’s one worth knowing. Undercropping refers to growing shorter crops underneath taller crops. In a regenerative context, this often means

There are a few means of controlling compost bioactivity. You can utilize adjustments to moisture level, aeration, and additions all to change the bioactivity level. I’ve had compost piles that never went anywhere – weren’t bioactive enough to decompose. On the flip side I’ve had piles that became so bioactive they got smelly, spawned zillions

Recently at Learn Dirt I’ve been experimenting with seed–starting mix recipes and ratios. I’ve noticed that using too much compost in my seedling mix has a tendency to burn my seedlings, and cause various nutrient toxicities, which can kill the seedlings or severely stunt them. As much as I would like to use 100% homemade

Composting is a natural and effective way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardening. Understanding the composting process and following a structured approach can help you achieve optimal results. In this guide, we will explore the key steps involved in composting in small spaces. Keep reading for all the tips on successful

Paired with a nitrogen fixer, oats can be a cornerstone for your winter cover and soil-building. If you’re curious about using oats as a winter cover in Tucson, keep reading… Why Grow Oats As A Winter Cover In Tucson? Oats are prolific during the Tucson cool season, adding tremendous amounts of organic matter to the

If you’re looking to learn how to make compost tea, welcome in. Here, we’ll unlock the secrets of making this incredible nutrient-rich elixir that will supercharge your garden’s vitality. Let’s dive in and brew some liquid gold… The Basics of Compost Tea Before we go any further, let’s take a minute to understand what compost

Have you ever found yourself staring at the high price tag of soil at your local garden center and wondered, “Why is soil so expensive?” The truth is, the best quality soil can’t be found in a bag at a store. It’s only grown at home (or in a forest!) Here, we’ll talk about why

If you’re looking for alternatives to Miracle-Gro, you’ve come to the right place. You may be familiar with some of the problems of using chemical fertilizers, and are looking for a healthier alternative. Maybe you know that Miracle Gro is water soluble, and runoff may pollute groundwater. Whatever the reason, you’re moving in the right

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably heard of the “no till” method of gardening before. Are you curious about it and want to know what all the hubbub is about? Tillage has been a standard practice since the dawn of agriculture, so it’s easy to assume it’s the tried-and-true way to grow. Since you’re curious

Composting is an essential part of gardening, and a great way to reduce your household waste. Unfinished compost, also known as active compost, can pose some problems if used improperly, however. Let’s talk about some of the problems with unfinished compost and how to avoid them… Nutrient Burn From Unfinished Compost Unfinished compost can be

Composting is an essential process for gardeners who want to improve the soil health and fertility of their garden beds. While some gardeners may prefer to use raw or unfinished compost, cured compost is generally considered to be a more effective and safer option. Here, we’ll talk about what cured compost is and why it

Composting is a fantastic way to turn food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden. But it’s important to remember that the composting process doesn’t end when you dump your compost pile into your garden bed. Uncured compost can be too “hot” with too many nutrients, which can burn your

Want to learn about composting cardboard? Composting is a great way to reduce waste and create rich soil for your garden or plants. I use tons of cardboard in my compost and I encourage you to do the same if you have extra boxes. While many people may think of food scraps and yard waste

Wondering what’s wrong with using Miracle-Gro in your garden? Miracle-Gro is probably the most popular brand of synthetic fertilizer among home gardeners. Everyone has used it. So what’s the problem with it? While that little green tub might seem like a quick boost for plant growth, there are unseen costs of using it. Synthetic fertilizers