{"id":32,"date":"2020-05-09T20:14:45","date_gmt":"2020-05-09T20:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/?p=32"},"modified":"2020-05-14T13:12:09","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T13:12:09","slug":"makin-dirt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/makin-dirt\/","title":{"rendered":"Makin’ Dirt"},"content":{"rendered":"

What goes in the ground…goes on the table\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This will be a\u00a0 part series on dirt, Makin dirt that is.\u00a0 Dirt is on of the most critical elements if any farmers product. Whether you grow food for the masses or just your family, there ate many elements that are needed for soil health and producing healthy wholesome food.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Makin’ Dirt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Home gardeners spend millions each year on fertilizer for their gardens and houseplants.
\nWOW! While many scientists agree that chemical fertilizers are harming the environment,
\norganic fertilizers are draining our wallets. The good news is that you can easily make your own
\nfertilizers from organic waste material and other things that you have around the house.
\n3 Reasons You Need Fertilizer
\nYour plants need fertilizer because:
\n1. Most soil does not provide the essential nutrients that are required for the best plant
\ngrowth and production.
\n2. Even if you are super lucky to have rich loamy soil that all of us crave, as your plants
\ngrow they absorb those nutrients and leave the soil less fertile.
\n3. All of those beautiful flowers, fruits, and veggies that you grew last year took the
\nnutrients that were in the soil. This year, your garden needs another boost of nutrients
\nfor this year\u2019s plants.
\nWhy It\u2019s Important To Know Your Soil
\nWhile it\u2019s important to fertilize your plants and the soil, it\u2019s also important to know what your
\nsoil needs. That\u2019s where a soil test comes in. Get one from your local county extension office.
\nWhen you send in your sample, you\u2019ll get the report. It tells you what your soil has in
\nabundance and what you really need to add for best plant growth.
\nAlso, soils vary in their ability to hold nutrients and make them available to plants. Sandy soils
\ndo not hold nutrients well, clay soils do. However, clay soils do not like to give up the water
\nthey hold, so it is more difficult for plants to take up the nutrients that are available.
\nWhich Do I Need, Soil Amendments Or Fertilizers?
\nSoil amendments are mixed with soil to improve the physical properties or increase microbial
\naction. It makes a plant\u2019s roots happy and healthy. Amendments improve the soil\u2019s water
\nretention, permeability, drainage, air holding capacity, and structure.
\nFertilizers are soil amendments that are applied to promote plant growth not change the soils
\ncharacteristics.
\nThe short answer is you need both.<\/p>\n

For today we’ll talk organic<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Types Of Organic Fertilizers
\nDry
\nDry fertilizers are mixed into the soil. They work well for both in-ground gardens and container
\ngardening. These types of fertilizer are added to encourage long-term growth in seedlings,
\ntransplants, and crops. An example of a Dry fertilizer is straw or pine needles.
\nLiquid
\nLiquid fertilizers are just what they sound like\u2026nutrients in liquid form. There might be a
\nbinding agent to help them to be absorbed by your plants. These fertilizers might be poured
\nonto the soil surrounding the plant so the roots can take them up. Or they could be sprayed on
\nthe leaves. Foliar (leaf) sprays are great for some vegetables during the growing season. Liquid
\nfertilizers are great for growing plants that need a boost in leaf growth or flowering and
\nfruiting. An example of a liquid fertilizer is comfrey or manure tea.
\nFertilize With Other Companion Plants
\nUsing this permaculture technique, you can fertilize your soil and plants with companion
\nplanting. A perfect example of this is the Three Sisters Planting of the southwest Indigenous cultures.
\nYou\u2019ve probably already read about 15 of the best
\nfertilizers.
\n1. Aquarium Water
\n2. Bananas
\n3. Blackstrap Molasses
\n4. Coffee Grounds
\n5. Cooking Water
\n6. Corn Gluten Meal<\/p>\n

7. Egg Shells
\n8. Epsom Salts
\n9. Gelatin
\n10. Wood Ash (Note: Be careful of wood ash if you already have alkaline soil. It can sweeten
\nthe soil, meaning it raises the pH. It also adds salts.)
\n11. Green Tea
\n12. Hair (human or pet)
\n13. Horse Feed
\n14. Matches
\n15. Powdered Milk<\/p>\n

Here are 35 more great fertilizers to consider:<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

\"\"1. Worm castings
\nWorm castings are soil superfood! They provide nitrogen and make soil absorbent. They
\nalso introduce a huge number of beneficial microbes and bacteria to the soil.
\n2. Beer
\nThe jury is out on this one. Many tests have shown that beer doesn\u2019t add anything, but
\nsome people swear by it. Beer is a simple sugar and plants need complex sugars.
\nScientifically speaking, it probably doesn\u2019t work. However, it does work to get rid of
\nslugs and is a great cool down on a hot gardening day! Also, if you brew your own beer
\nor live near a microbrewery, you might want to use \u201cBeer Mash\u201d (the grains leftover
\nfrom making beer). It\u2019s a great soil amendment.
\n3. Ammonia
\nAmmonia naturally occurs in the soil. There are microbes in the soil that pull nitrogen
\nfrom the air and put it into the soil in the form of ammonia. The amount is what is
\nimportant here. Use 1 or 2 ounces per gallon of water mixed with molasses. Microbes
\nlove this stuff. If you\u2019re uncomfortable using man-made ammonia, you can always slide
\ndown the list and use urine instead.
\n4. Liquid Dish Soap
\nThis is another one that is up for debate. There are a lot of studies that show that dish
\ndetergent (made with a lot of chemicals) is harmful to plants. However, there are some
\norganic dish soaps that will help your \u201csupertonic\u201d to penetrate the soil. You only need a
\ncouple of drops in 32 oz. of water to get the job done. Remember, more is not better!
\n5. Dog and Cat Food
\nMake sure that it is an organic pet food. Sprinkle the dry pet food on the bed or
\ncontainer. Turn the soil or water it in. It provides protein to feed the fungi and bacteria,
\nnitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, plus other minerals. To discourage
\nvertebrae pests, be sure to cover this fertilizer with cardboard.
\n6. Tea
\nTea and tea bags are excellent for your garden. As the bag and tea decompose, they release nitrogen. First, make sure your tea bag is compostable. You don\u2019t want the ones
\nmade of polypropylene. If the bag is slippery, don\u2019t use it in the garden. Tea also makes
\na great brew for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. Tea also helps deter
\nsome root maggots.
\n7. Bone Meal
\nAlright so this is a stretch for just having some lying around the house. However, bone
\nmeal is a really good source of phosphorus and protein. It is coarsely ground animal
\nbones and waste products. Make sure you need phosphorus in your soil before adding
\nit. A soil test is your best friend in the garden. However, if you want to make your own
\nbone meal, here\u2019s what you do:1. Collect bones by storing them in the freezer.2. Clean\u00a0them by making a bone broth. 3. Once they are clean, sterilize them. Place them on a baking sheet under the broiler for 10-15 minutes.4. Dry the bones by placing the\u00a0cooking sheet on the counter for about three to four weeks. They need to be completely dry. 5. Crush them into a fine powder with a food processor. If you use a mortar and pestle, be sure to wear a mask over your nose and mouth. 6. It is now ready to use.
\n8. Antacid Tablets
\nIf your soil is low in calcium, this should be a go-to. It helps prevent blossom end rot in
\nyour tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Push one tablet into the soil by the plant\u2019s
\nroots. Voila! Instant calcium boost.
\n9. Coconut Coir
\nCoconut coir has become the replacement for the non-renewable Peat Moss. This soil
\namendment adds air and space to assist with water retention and nutrient uptake. It
\nmakes a great seedling starter!
\n10. Humanure (To prevent pathogens and disease, only use for fruit and nut tree, not
\nvegetables)
\nOkay, I hear you with your \u201cEwww\u2019s,\u201d but hear me out. This organic material is a
\nvaluable resource rich in soil nutrients. In the U.S., each of us wastes more than a
\nthousand pounds of humanure each year. Composting is key! It takes a year to fully
\ncompost human feces and breakdown the pathogens. For more information, check out
\nThe Humanure Handbook by Joseph Jenkins.
\n11. Newspaper
\nMakes a great mulch and soil amendment. The added bonus is that the soil-based ink
\nkills diseases in the soil. It can be shredded or laid in a thick layer on your beds. It is best
\nto wet the newspaper before applying.
\n12. Comfrey
\nThis deep-rooted herb was once a traditional remedy to help heal broken bones. Its vast
\nroot system acts as an accumulator by extracting a wide range of nutrients from deep in
\nyour soil. These nutrients naturally accumulate in its fast-growing leaves. Cut 4 to 5
\npounds (1.8 to 2.27 kg) of leaves from each plant. It is super-rich in nitrogen and
\npotassium. Some research has shown that comfrey leaves have 2 to 3 times more
\npotassium than farmyard manures!
\n13. Urine
\nYes, you read that right! Human urine is an excellent source of nitrogen. It is great to
\nadd to compost tea or your compost pile as an activator. Pathogens, disease, and toxins are quickly killed within 24 hours of leaving your body. Dilute the urine with water in a
\nratio 1::2 and water your plants.
\n14. Citrus rinds
\nStir those rinds right into the soil. As they break down, they\u2019ll release sulfur, magnesium,
\ncalcium, potassium, and more nutrients. You can also dry the peels and grind them into
\na fine powder that can be added to the soil.
\n15. Kelp meal or seaweed
\nKelp contains small amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, but it\u2019s very high
\nin trace elements, too. Typically, you\u2019ll mix this liquid fertilizer with water. Use it as a
\nfoliar spray or pour it onto the soil around plants.
\n16. Granite dust
\nGranite is made of volcanic rock. It is filled with more than 60 different elements,
\nincluding potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It also includes the trace
\nelements that make the soil nutrient dense. Be sure to read the label!
\n17. Green manures
\nThis is a favorite! Green manures are a fall cover crop that is grown on beds or pastures
\nbefore or after crops or flowers to add nutrients back into the soil as they grow. They
\nget turned under after their season. Some green manures include clovers, vetch, rye,
\nand mustards.
\n18. White Vinegar
\nThere is a lot of chatter on the Internet about white vinegar changing the pH level of
\nyour soil. Tests have shown that it may have a temporary effect, but it is nearly
\nimpossible to change the pH of your soil, except over the very long-term. However, feed
\nyour container plants with a mixture of 1 Tablespoon of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar
\nin 8 ounces of water. Bring the mix to a slow boil until the sugar dissolves. Then, let it
\ncool and feed those hungry plants.
\n19. Grass clippings and Weeds
\nThese are an excellent source of nitrogen and potassium for your fertilizer teas. Put the
\nclippings in a 5-gallon bucket filled with water. Cover and let marinate for 3 to 4 weeks.
\nYou\u2019ll have a lovely batch of \u201cgreen\u201d fertilizer tea.
\n\"\"20. Mushrooms
\nThe part of the mushroom that you see is actually the fruiting body. The real magic is in
\nthe soil. Fungi are part of the soil web that helps bring nutrients to your plants.<\/p>\n

I will stop here today…<\/p>\n

\"\"Until Next Time…<\/p>\n

Happy Gardening<\/p>\n

Photos by Aaron Aveiro<\/p>\n

Information courtesy Marjory Wildcraft<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What goes in the ground…goes on the table\u00a0 This will be a\u00a0 part series on dirt, Makin dirt that is.\u00a0 Dirt is on of the most critical elements if any farmers product. Whether you grow food for the masses or just your family, there ate many elements that are needed for soil health and producing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,19],"tags":[7,11,20,9,10,12,8],"class_list":["post-32","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gardening","category-the-grow-network","tag-dirt","tag-gardening","tag-marjory-wildcraft","tag-microbial","tag-mulch","tag-organic","tag-soil"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.1","language":"de","enabled_languages":["en","es","de","fr","ru"],"languages":{"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"es":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"de":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"fr":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69,"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32\/revisions\/69"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aladaymobilemedia.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}