World Soil Day Today is World Soil Day which is held annually on the 5th of December and focuses attention on the importance of healthy soil and how to manage and care for it in a sustainable way. Soil is a major part of our ecosystems so it needs to be looked after – this is where we can help! How to improve soil quality in your garden Ensuring your soil is healthy and well looked after is key when it comes to growing a successful garden. We also want to help raise awareness of the importance of sustaining healthy soil for both human well-being and keeping healthy ecosystems. Take a look at our top care tips when it comes to improving the health of your soil. Mulching There are many benefits to mulching your garden as it helps to save water, keep weeds away, protect the roots and improve the overall quality of the soil around your plants. It also helps to reduce the level of care you will need for your garden by limiting the amount of watering and weeding. Take a look at our how and when to mulch your garden blog to learn more. Feed your soil with organic matter or natural fertiliser This is great to add to your soil as it provides it with nutrients that will be released into the soil, improves the capacity of how much water the soil can hold, and improves the overall structure of the soil. Homemade compost is a great cheaper, high-quality alternative to help improve your soil. Fallen leaves and dead plants will add to organic matter as well as provide a home for insects. You can also use different types of animal manure or natural fertilisers. A great aftercare tip would be to use fish blood and bone. This is a great conditioner for your soil and is a great organic fertiliser that helps to enhance the growth of your plants. Good practice in watering and feeding will help to create healthy soil and make your garden thrive! Avoid using chemicals on your soil We would recommend avoiding any harsh chemicals in your garden as these can be toxic to your soil. Consider using natural fertilisers they will benefit your soil much more than using toxic ones that are usually not specific to what pests they kill and can harm beneficial organisms in the process. Chemicals can cause issues for the ecosystem such as contaminating the water as well as causing harm to a variety of different creatures which is why we wouldn’t recommend them. Not to mention they can be expensive as well as laborious to apply. It’s beneficial to use natural control methods and check your soil regularly so you can continue to monitor any pest problems and allow your garden to thrive in a non-toxic way. Add soil-saving plants to your garden Planting flowers, trees, and shrubs that will benefit soil health is something that is recommended. Plants that pull nitrogen from the air help to increase the fertility of your soil. Deep-rooted plants help promote healthy soil structure and draw out nutrients from deeper soil. Trees have deep roots so they recycle nutrients, improve soil structure and improve drainage. Some great options are Alder, Gleditsia, and Laburnum varieties. Other options are legumes as they are also deep-rooted and help to draw the nutrients up. There are many factors that can help you to keep your soil healthy and help to improve the growing conditions in your garden. World Soil Day will help to educate people across the world when it comes to keeping your soil healthy and how it plays a vital role in reducing the impact of climate change. Happy World Soil Day! BACK TO ARTICLES
