What Exactly is Soil Conditioner?

Soil conditioner is a substance produced from organic or nonorganic matter. When the conditioner is incorporated into and mixed with your garden soil, it improves the soil properties and adds slow releasing nutrients. It is commonly used for a variety of gardening projects. Weed seeds will be eliminated with this naturally composted material. Over time, soil tends to become compacted, which is bad for plants. Compacted soil can negative impact root growth and decrease the ability of plants to take up nutrients and water. Soil conditioners can add more loft and texture to keep the soil loose. Soil conditioner can come in many forms such as cow manure, peat moss, EM 1 and organic compost just to name a few. They can be applied to your garden in many ways. Some conditioners are applied after planting while others may be worked and tilled into the soil before the planting begins.

The Benefits of Soil Conditioner

Adding a soil conditioner to your garden helps improve moisture retention. This makes water easily accessible for the roots of all of your plants. Corse soil does not retain water well. The conditioner aids in binding together soil particles into porous granules. This allows air and water to move through the soil. Since, the organic matter in soil conditioner retains moisture, it is able to absorb and store nutrients more easily. It increases nutrient retention by collecting the nutrients escaping away from the roots, especially in soils that are sandy. The organic matter is food for microorganisms and other forms of life found in soil.

Certain soil conditioners, such as EM 1, create a healthier soil for your plants. Healthy soil grows healthy plants. In order for a soil to become healthy, they require organic matter. A healthy environment for plants involve organic matter like compost, microbes, and moisture. The result is strong plants, healthier flowers and higher quality fruits and vegetables. Healthy plants are able to ward off unwanted irritants like diseases and pests. Many soil conditioners also add vital nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen, beneficial bacteria, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. All of these components enhance the soil, allowing plants to grow bigger and stronger.

Microbes found in soil conditioner convert organic matter into a usable food source plants. The fruits and vegetables in your garden, will not only taste better but they will be more nutritious. Soil microbes help plants absorb nutrients from organic matter and fertilizers. Other benefits of adding soil conditioner to your garden are that it aids in drainage by restoring structure of soil, opens up heavy clay soils and helps reduce compaction of dense soils.

For more information on soil conditioners, like EM 1, and their impact on your garden, visit Teraganix’s website. Teraganix provides industry leading solutions for your home and garden. They are an exclusive distributor in the US & Canada for Dr. Higas EM-1 Effective Microorganisms, EM Bokashi, Pro EM-1 Probiotics, & EM Ceramics.