Can manure transform your garden's soil structure and fertility?
In short: Discover the practical benefits of using manure and organic matter to feed plants, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure in this Gardening Australia deep-dive.
In this segment from Gardening Australia Season 3 and Episode 30, Hannah explores the use of manure for gardening. While manures provide essential nutrients, some 'hungry' plants may still require additional fertiliser to thrive. Beyond nutrition, organic matter acts as a soil conditioner, binding particles into aggregates that hold moisture and prevent nutrients from being washed away by rain.
Maintaining healthy organic matter levels is vital; while natural soils can contain much higher levels, cultivation often leads to losses. Gardeners typically aim for organic matter levels between 3% and 6%. If levels fall below 2%, soil function can be severely impaired, as even a 0.5% decrease can reduce the nutrient-holding capacity of fertile soils by 4%.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How To Use Manure in Your Garden | Gardening 101 | Gardening Australia
- Also: Organic Matter: How to Use in the Garden | RHS Advice
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