All plants require certain nutrients for good growth.
Carbon and oxygen are taken in through the leaves during photosynthesis, while
the rest of the required nutrients normally are taken up through the roots.
Carbon and oxygen are taken in through the leaves during photosynthesis, while
the rest of the required nutrients normally are taken up through the roots.
Most nutrients and water are taken up through the very
fine roots called root hairs. These are very small, but are extremely numerous
and effective in nutrient uptake. The more soil the roots are able to
penetrate, the more potential they have to contact needed nutrients and water.
Therefore, providing a noncompacted, well-drained soil is important for optimum
growth of most plant species.These tips will help your plants develop healthy root
systems for maximum nutrient uptake:
fine roots called root hairs. These are very small, but are extremely numerous
and effective in nutrient uptake. The more soil the roots are able to
penetrate, the more potential they have to contact needed nutrients and water.
Therefore, providing a noncompacted, well-drained soil is important for optimum
growth of most plant species.These tips will help your plants develop healthy root
systems for maximum nutrient uptake:
Do not work in your garden when the soil is wet.
Working the soil when it is too wet causes compaction which makes soil
particles clump together, reducing the pore space between particles. This makes
it more difficult for roots to penetrate the soil and leads to reduced water
infiltration and increased runoff. While it may be tempting on those warm early
spring days to dig up the garden, you should wait. The right time to work in
your garden is when the soil crumbles slightly when you squeeze it in your
hand.
Working the soil when it is too wet causes compaction which makes soil
particles clump together, reducing the pore space between particles. This makes
it more difficult for roots to penetrate the soil and leads to reduced water
infiltration and increased runoff. While it may be tempting on those warm early
spring days to dig up the garden, you should wait. The right time to work in
your garden is when the soil crumbles slightly when you squeeze it in your
hand.
Add organic matter to your soil. Organic matter is
extremely important in improving soil structure and increasing pore space.
Organic matter improves the ability of the soil to hold moisture during dry
spells. Worms thrive on soil organic matter and are excellent at improving the
structure of the soil through their tunneling activities. Also, their castings
or excrement is an excellent source of plant nutrients. Compost and peat moss
are both excellent sources of organic matter.
extremely important in improving soil structure and increasing pore space.
Organic matter improves the ability of the soil to hold moisture during dry
spells. Worms thrive on soil organic matter and are excellent at improving the
structure of the soil through their tunneling activities. Also, their castings
or excrement is an excellent source of plant nutrients. Compost and peat moss
are both excellent sources of organic matter.
Mulch your soil. Organic mulches such as bark chips or
grass clippings help protect your soil from the impact of raindrops. They
prevent crusting of the soil surface. Crusting of the soil can prevent seeds
from sprouting and reduces infiltration of water into the soil. As mulch
decomposes, it also adds more organic matter to the soil. Remember that some
mulches will lower the pH (the acidity of the soil), making some nutrients less
available.
grass clippings help protect your soil from the impact of raindrops. They
prevent crusting of the soil surface. Crusting of the soil can prevent seeds
from sprouting and reduces infiltration of water into the soil. As mulch
decomposes, it also adds more organic matter to the soil. Remember that some
mulches will lower the pH (the acidity of the soil), making some nutrients less
available.
Use raised beds for a garden if your yard has heavy,
poorly drained soils. Raised beds can be made using tillage equipment. You can
make permanent beds with rot-resistant wood, filled with a mixture of soil and
organic matter. But, you may decide that growing plants tolerant of wet
conditions is a less troublesome, more rewarding experience!
poorly drained soils. Raised beds can be made using tillage equipment. You can
make permanent beds with rot-resistant wood, filled with a mixture of soil and
organic matter. But, you may decide that growing plants tolerant of wet
conditions is a less troublesome, more rewarding experience!
If you treat your soil well, your plants should develop extensive healthy roots capable of taking up the required plant nutrients.
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