Soil Enrichment for Bushes

Soil Amendments & Enrichment

• All gardeners know the value of fertilizers, which add essential nutrients to the soil to aid in growth, flowering and reproduction. Adding soil amendments is another way to help your flowers, vegetables and bushes grow healthy and strong. These materials help the soil retain water and nutrients, drain more efficiently and send oxygen into root systems. They also work as an energy source for beneficial microorganisms and earthworms to keep soil loose and release more nutrients, according to University of Arizona extension specialist Jeff Schalau. In addition, as these materials break down, they provide additional nutrients for your bushes.

Types

• Gardeners have a choice of many soil amendments. Inorganic soil amendments include materials that are mined or manmade, such as vermiculite, perlite, sand or pea gravel. Organic soil amendments include compost, manure, grass clippings, straw, sphagnum moss, wood chips and ashes. Organic materials break down in the soil to enrich plants, while inorganic materials don't break down. Before applying soil amendments to your soil, do a soil test to determine the components of your garden soil. Some amendments will increase pH or add elements that can be harmful to plants and bushes.

Adding Amendments

• When planting new bushes, till the soil well and add the soil amendment, working it well into the top 6 to 8 inches of ground. Do not apply more than 3 cubic yards of amendment per 1,000 square feet. Always retest soil before adding soil amendment materials to ensure you are not doing more harm than good. Your local agricultural extension can help with testing services.

Precautions

• Be careful when using manure as a soil amendment. Manure is rich in nitrogen but can elevate ammonia levels in soil, burning plant roots. Fresh manure can also harbor pathogens that cause plant diseases. Composted manure does not contain these pathogens because the composting process produces enough heat to kill them, according to Colorado State University specialists J. G. Davis and C.R. Wilson. Ordinary garden compost may be a safer choice because the ammonia gas is released in the composting process. It is also higher in potassium and phosphorus. Soil amendments that contain wood can tie up nitrogen in the soil, causing nitrogen deficiencies. Wood ash can also raise the pH of soil, making it too alkaline for some plants.