Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange
Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [soil-amendment]

About modifying a soil's content.

Soil amendments are any additives which are added to a soil to change its characteristics. Amendments can include (but are not limited to):

  • Fertilizers
  • Compost
  • Lime
  • Rock chips
  • Sand
  • Bark chips
  • Biochar
  • Vermiculite

Amendments can change the acidity (pH), water-holding ability, drainage, nutritional content, and inoculate against some diseases.

Use this tag for all questions where a general soil amendment tag is appropriate. Questions about specific amendments should use the specific tag for the amendment.

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High Sulfur and alkaline pH on Soil Test for Bermuda Lawn

I did a My Soil Savvy test on my Bermuda lawn (Phoenix, AZ) and the Sulfur was 42.90ppm with a recommendation of 6-12. The test also showed my pH at 7.14. Any ideas on how to reduce the sulfur and make the lawn more acidic(6.0-6.5)? FYI there also…
Imager
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Poor draining sandy loam soil

I tested my soil and discoverd it has 10% clay, 29% silt, and 59% sand. I've noticed my soil sucks when it comes to draining water (unless it's slowly raining). Water will pool on the top of the ground. What can I add to my soil to make it drain…
Chris Manning
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UK equivalent of US University Soil "Extension" Offices

I recently found out that there is a (state?-)tax-funded community resource in the US associated with Land-Grant State Universities called "Extension Offices". They offer soil testing kits, personalised advice and even officers who can help you…
Brondahl
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Improve soil in established flower garden

The soil in my garden is very hard; it's probably clay if I do just a little deep. However, I already have some plants established in my garden and I don't want to dig them up. It's a small area, about 20 20 feet. Is there a way to make the soil…
Nellie
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How much drainage in seedling potting mix?

I made my own seedling potting mix. It has 35% drainage and 65% water hold matter. Now, that I see it, I feel like it has too much drainage. I used roughly the same percentage of as Sungro's Blackgold Seedling Potting Mix. I have used Blackgold…
user27895
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Is Natural Cinder a good soil amendment?

Found this online: Natural cinder of 4-8mm chunks a good stuff to add alongside perlite/pumice for succulents and other soil mix? EDIT: What about coal cinder?
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Gritty mix for cactus and succulents usage

I am seeing some gritty mixes for succulents and I cannot find any info on the product regarding it usage.. Will succulents or cactus do well if they are placed in those gritty mixes? Here are gritty mixes:
4-K
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What should general PH and nutrient levels be for new planting bed after amendments?

I am planting a salad garden with lettuces, kale, spinach, root crops, pole beans, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. So many different PH level requirements and such for different plants are confusing me because I have grown them all together before…
TauraBird
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Adding 10 cm of cow manure to my orchard in summer without hurting trees

I have bought an orchard recently which has 42 apples 26 walnuts and 27 and some other trees. I know that no fertilizer has been added to soil for at least 2 years. I have read that adding 10cm of manure would help soil improvement. But local…
Mehdi Azizi
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What is the difference between replacing soil and amending soil?

I came across this article and I find that it goes against everything that's said about soil amendment before planting. I've copied bits of it down below. You are planting a new tree, and you want to do everything that you can to make it grow well.…
Hamid Sabir
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Organic matter in organic fertilizer

Is organic matter (OM) in organic fertilizer important? Is higher OM better than lower OM? For example: NPK 3:2:2 OM 71% better than NPK 3:2:2 OM 60%?
qnguyen
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Does soil need to be acidic for carnivorous plaints (droserae)

I'm still trying to grow carnivorous plants, and with reasonable success. Recommended: Peat / sphagnum moss Now generally, these plants grow in "wet, boggy, acidic soils" as every source will tell you. The soil needs to be low on nutrients, since…
GolezTrol
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Does disintegrating perlite produce clay?

Perlite sand is extremely fine. Is it clay? Will it cake up my soil over a long period of time(e.g.10 years)?
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What natural substance can I use to up the pH balance?

What can be used as a natural pH up substance for my medical marijuana plants water? I have them growing in soil & have been using citrus powder to lower my ph.
Ashtyn
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How do I explore and make changes in my garden?

We recently bought and moved into our home. The previous owner set up some great plants (natives, water smart, fragrant and pollinator friendly) and trees with watering automation as well. The visible surface (and if I scratch or dig) shows at least…
perennial_noob
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