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Soil Amendment Chart
How to make your garden soil rich and pliable

Organic Soil Amendments

The materials listed in the chart below are all useful organic soil amendments, but their availability varies depending on where you live. Other similar products may be just as effective in soil preparation and maintenance.

Note: In the listing for fir sawdust, take special note of the warning against substituting pine sawdust. Pine breaks down rapidly, making it next to impossible for you to replace the nitrogen it uses up.

These organic soil amendments have been used extensively by both home gardeners and farmers alike. The production of humus is increased by the introduction of organic matter during soil preparation. By working your garden soil in this manner you will insure that the forthcoming crops will be sturdy and abundant.

Organic Soil Amendment Chart

Amendments

Pros & Cons

Uses

Add Nitrogen?

Ash Content

Nutrient Holding

Redwood Materials

 Granular, or granular-fibrous if bark used in mix. Works in well. Low salinity, ash; long lasting in soil Work into soil or use in container mix Raw redwood needs 1/2 pound actual nitrogen or 2 1/2 pounds organic fertilizer per 10 cubic feet 1 % Poor

Bark

 Granular. Easy to mix in. Low salinity, ash. Long lasting in soil. Very dense material Use in garden soil; in container mix; often used for orchids Raw bark needs 1 pound actual nitrogen or 8 pounds organic fertilizer per 10 cubic feet 3-5 % Poor

Fir Sawdust

 Granular. Works in well. Low salinity, ash. Lasts in soil. Raw sawdust may contain chips, shavings. DO NOT USE PINE SAWDUST Use in garden soil or containers To raw fir sawdust add 1/2 pound actual nitrogen or 4 pounds organic fertilizer per 10 cubic feet 2 % Poor

Sphagnum
Peat Moss

 Fibrous or powdery. Hard to wet. Do not use dry. Low salinity, ash. Once wet, it retains water better than any other amendment. Best in container mix, but keep it damp. Good in garden soil Needs no added nitrogen 3 % Very good

Hypnum Peat Moss

 Fibrous; texture more variable than sphagnum, but contains more nitrogen. Costs less. High ash content In containers, fern baskets and garden soil Needs no added nitrogen 30 % Very good

Sedge Peat

 Fibrous; texture variable. May be saline. High ash content. May be cheaper than sphagnum In rainy climate, use in garden soil Needs no added nitrogen 50 % Good

Oak Leaf Mold

 May contain leaves and twigs. Adds to soil fertility in container mix, cuts feeding a bit In potting mix. Or sterilize, sift, and use it to start seeds Needs no added nitrogen. Contains many useful nutrients 30 % Good

Dairy Manure

 In some areas, may be free for the hauling. Moderately saline. High ash. Must be thoroughly decomposed. Has strong odor. Conditioner in sandy soils; as a mulch. No nitrogen needed. Is a low grade fertilizer. 50 % Good

Steer Manure

 Sold in trade-name packages. May be very highly saline. High ash. Sometimes has strong odor. Conditioner in sandy soils; as mulch. None needed. Ia a low grade fertilizer. 60 % Good

Stable Bedding

 May be free from a commercial stable, but must be well composted. Mixture of straw, chips, sawdust and animal waste. Low ash. In garden soil as a conditioner. Needs no added nitrogen Low Fair

Compost

 Variable material depending on what you put in. Must be well rotted, screened. May contain disease organisms In potting mix, mulch. Soil conditioner. Contains ample nitrogen 40 % Good

Try adding your amendments during the correct moon phase

If you are serious about gardening by moon phases then it is imperative that you prepare the garden soil in accordance with other natural organic processes. The moon only plays a part in a well balanced growing cycle.

Nature and your garden

Observe all the laws of nature, in every aspect of your gardening, and you will have a bountiful harvest of strong and healty plants.

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