The term ‘organic’ is a hot trend these days. Whether it is beauty products or food – the world is shifting towards this change. And why it shouldn’t be. Our planet is under a huge crisis, and human-made chemicals are being blamed. That is why the word ‘organic’ seems to completely substitute the word ‘living,’ particularly for the soil.
Organic soil is the soil that already exists in nature – untouched and pure. It is created by the decomposition of plant and animal material. Falling leaves and trees, half-eaten fruits and vegetables, and animal waste make up organic soil’s essence. It is a mineral-rich mini-system on its own where the microorganisms feed and create a power-packed foundation for future growth.
It is important to note that it is the usage of chemicals and pesticides that degrades the quality of the soil and further of your plants and food. Using them does provide high yields, but that is only temporary. In fact, adding synthetic and modified ingredients depletes the natural power of the soil and leaves the soil completely unfit in the long run.
Before delving into why organic soil and fertilizers are a better choice, let us first understand how organic and inorganic soil composition differs. Here is a brief comparison of the two:
| Organic Soil | Inorganic Soil | ||
| Material | Composed of | Material | Composed of |
| Mulch | Bark, Leaves, Wood Chips | Perlite | Volcanic Glass |
| Compost | Decaying Vegetation | Expanded Clay Aggregate | Baked Pellets of Clay |
| Manure | Animal Excrement | Rockwool | Molten Rock |
Benefits of Organic Soil:
1. Environmentally friendly.
Now that comes as a no-brainer because organic soil is composed of all-natural ingredients. It is like putting the soil made from the environment back into the environment. Since there are no chemicals involved, this boosts the sustainability of the soil and enriches its quality. This, of course, means happy plants and healthy fruits and vegetables that are safe for your consumption.
2. Save money.
The best thing about organic soil is that it is readily available in nature, and there is no need to spend money on anything extra. It retains water longer than synthetic soils, hence reducing the watering needs. Besides, you can easily prepare the organic matter by yourself on the farm instead of going to the farmer markets and stores, saving a lot of time and money.
3. Enhanced plant growth and fertility.
Organic matter and soil humus provides 90% to 95% of the nitrogen in unfertilized soils and improves their structure by promoting aeration, infiltration, and percolation. Since organic fertilizers don’t run off easily, it increases crop resistance to erosion.
4. Better protection.
Organic soils are composed of nutrient-rich elements and hence, facilitate the growth of stronger cell walls in plants giving them the much-needed layers of protection against various pests and diseases. That successfully cuts down the requirement to infuse heavy chemicals elements into your plants, keeping them safe and healthy for months to come.
