I have many years engaged in horticulture, and during the whole time looking for ways to improve the soil. For myself, I divided the process into two main categories.
- The saturation of the soil with nutrients and trace elements. These include a variety of fertilizer and top dressing. Also, this category may include any actions that affect the acidity of the soil;
- Creating the right soil structure. This includes any action that improves the airflow, heat transfer, drainage density, etc.
In fact, the process of creating the fertile soil can be made into many categories and stages, but for myself, I identified these.
This article focuses only on the second category of improving soil structure. And to do this we will be using a standard sand, which is sold in any housing estate, or simply dug in the forest.
Just I want to say that there are so many kinds of sand: sea, river, career, seeded. All of them are divided into categories that have impurities and different grits. But in this article I will not share the sand by category, so how to get this or that kind is quite difficult in small quantities.
1. Improved drainage properties
If the soil is too clayey and heavy, she had not let the moisture. As a result, the water after the rain for a long time remain on the surface. Because of this, the plant roots begin to rot and erode.
You can improve the situation by means of ordinary sand. His addition makes the soil more friable and permeable. As a result, the water quickly goes away, and the roots remain in the culture, breathable environment.
Over time, the sand tends to "go to ground". Therefore, opeschanivaniya procedure can be done every 5-7 years.
2. Improving air
Dense soil retain not only moisture, but also the air, which is necessary for the full development of the root system of the plant. the sand can be used to improve the ventilation. The larger the grain, the better.
If you plan to add sand in the spring, then follow the first sprinkle it on the ground, and then dig up the soil. If the sand is added in the fall, you can throw over the dug soil. In the spring he goes to the ground along with the meltwater.
3. heat storage
If the root system of plants is often suffering from a cold, the problem can be partially solved with the help of sand. This fine particulate material accumulates and holds the long daytime heat.
In addition, in the spring of sandy soil warms up quickly and are suitable for planting.
4. Improving soil structure
The sand helps improve soil structure. And it's not just about the drainage and air exchange. The looser the soil root system does not feel resistance, and does not get damaged during the development time. In addition, sandy soils are easier to handle and dig. This is especially noticeable after the rain and stagnant water.
5. moisture retention
Despite the fact that the sand makes the soil loose and improves drainage, it is able to accumulate moisture at a sufficiently long period. Even in the driest years, it is water, which is so necessary for the plants on hot days in the sandy soil of the lower layers.
In dry weather, sandy soil to help retain moisture and rainy - save water balance and avoid stagnation of water.
Is Sand fertilizer?
In many gardening magazines and articles referred to the use of sand as a fertilizer. Therefore, some growers are wondering if the sand does have some useful trace elements and nutrients?
In fact, everything is simple. It is not about the content of the sand in the nutrients that are essential for plant growth and development, and its drainage and structuring properties. Therefore, we can often see headlines like "The use of sand as a fertilizer." However, this is just a generalization.
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