How Would I Make Barren Land Fertile in Iowa?

Replace minerals in the soil. Spread quarry dust on the land. Earthworms digest rock dust as the rock dust also combines with organic matter containing minerals, nitrogen and carbon. The output is plant food, since the rock dust becomes rich in minerals. In turn, plants and vegetables will have more nutrients.

Dig a large hole--the size of a car--as part of a process to simulate a natural system with worms and organic waste. Then add the waste--such as plant and animal residue--along with worms in the hole. Cover the hole with soil and dead leaves. Place a shelter around this area, and water it frequently.

Add mulch and seed the soil. This process is called amending the soil. Use green mulch--also called living mulch--to add nitrogen, reduce soil erosion, reduce water evaporation, enhance the fertility of soil and smother weeds. Examples of green mulch include hairy vetch used in the final cultivation of corn, and sweet clover drilled into small grains

Add manure to barren land in the summer. Use green manure in crop rotations and to provide nutrients required to improve the structure of barren land for growing crops. Green manure adds organic matter to soil. Then microorganisms break down the organic matter to form decomposition-resistant compounds such as waxins and resins.

Cover barren land with winter rye or hairy vetch during the winter to improve soil structure. Aerial seed the winter cover crop from late summer to fall.