When this magnificent living thing called soil leaves the garden on your hands or clothes, it gets displaced and is now defined as dirt. Dirt is made up of sand, silt, and clay, and it may be rocky. It has none of the minerals, nutrients, or living organisms found in soil. It is not an organized ecosystem.
There is no topsoil or humus, no worms or fungi. Lacking texture and structure, dirt does not compact when wet, unlike a handful of soil. The result is run-off and erosion. An old dirt road comes to mind with this definition.
All soil began as dirt. Natural soil formation takes thousands or millions of years, as rocks erode into sand and organic matter decays and accumulates. There are several key differences between soil and dirt, according to soil ecologists, and it's crucial for our ecosystem and society that we address these differences accordingly.
That said, we're taking the time to define and differentiate them. Although we most likely have relatively similar images in mind when thinking about dirt, it can actually encompass a wide variety of natural ingredients. Nature's Path says dirt can include a blend of organic matter , including sand, silt, and clay. It may also contain rocks or pebbles. It generally does not contain minerals, nutrients, or any type of organized, live ecosystems. It doesn't have much of a structure, and therefore, it doesn't become compact when it's wet.
So, how does soil differ from dirt? The area between soil particles is where air and water reside, and plants need both to grow. Plants in soggy soil often die of root rot. One of the easiest ways to improve clay soil is to add compost and other organic matter. Compost is composed of organic matter that has broken-down to form humus.
It has little nutrient value but it does aerate the soil and improve drainage. In contrast, worm compost vermicompost —the castings produced by worms that eat food scraps and other organic matter—is a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Earthworms happily munch on kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, newspaper, even cardboard. If you would like to learn more about composting, attend one of the nine composting workshops that will be conducted this year by Napa County Master Gardeners in conjunction with partnering agencies.
One workshop is entirely devoted to worm composting, and the workshop on April 12 will be conducted in Spanish. Register online at www. You can help your soil produce the healthiest plants in town.
Prepare now for your most successful vegetable garden ever. Learn what to plant from seed, how to choose transplants, and when to plant for a bountiful harvest from spring into fall. Online registration credit card only Mail in registration cash or check only. The morning session will focus on bud break to harvest. Learn the basics of managing a small vineyard including grape physiology, canopy management, vine nutrition, fertilization, irrigation and cover crop.
Vermiculite: Vermiculite is an altered form of the mineral mica, which is heated to very high temperatures to make the vermiculite. Mix well! Happy Planting! Click here to cancel reply. Name required. Email will not be published required. Remember Me This setting should only be used on your home or work computer. Sign In Register Join Now.
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