organic matter for the garden

Organic matter is an important soil material. It consists of raw and partially decayed plant and animal residues. Organic matter binds soil particles, granules and aggregates together. It aids water penetration and aeration of plant roots in clayey soils and increases moisture-holding capacity of sandy soils. It also adds some nutrients for plants and micro organisms. Organic matter in soil can be depleted and continued

soil productivity depends on replenishing and maintaining levels of organic matter.

Gardeners who know about the importance of organic matter in their soil try to replace it whenever possible. Two primary sources of organic matter for gardeners are peat moss and animal manures.

Each of these materials is useful and if used properly, reduces soil problems. Peat moss comes in a variety of makes and types plus a number of physical forms. It usually is reddish brown to black, can be fibrous or non fibrous, depending upon its state of decomposition, nitrogen content varies from 0.6 to 3.5 percent and its water-holding capacity ranges from 150 to3,000 percent of its weight.

Peat moss usually is available in moist or dry forms and each form offers certain advantages. The dry form is an economical way to purchase peat moss as up to 80 percent of a moist peat moss can be moisture. So in a sense, you are purchasing water when you purchase the moist form.

On the other hand, dry peat moss has to be soaked in water or otherwise moistened before it is used. If not, it can soak up tremendous quantities of water-perhaps at the expense of your plants and can also blow away.

Animal manure adds more organic matter and humus to the soil than nutrients, but it provides a certain amount of plant food. But, manure should not be used as a substitute for commercial fertilizers nor should commercial fertilizers be depended upon for humus.

A good manure should be dried, aged or composted before being used in the garden. Manure quality varies depending on moisture content, the animal, the animal's diet and the place where the animal is confined. Generally the nutrient elements required by plants, as well as the major nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-depend on the source of the animal's feed. Remember, if using manure it may contain numerous weed seeds although many of these can be destroyed during the processing stage.