What is Organic Matter?

This week we will learn about the basics of organic matter and organic material. We all have organic matter and material in our yards. Every living thing is organic and as it dies and decays it becomes organic matter. Soil is a dynamically changing matter which is dependent on organic material that gathers on its surface or is mixed in the soil to feed the little soil creatures. Healthy soil, water, air and sunlight are basic building blocks for life on earth.
Soil contains approximately 25% air, 25% water, 45% minerals and 5% humus. Beneath the surface of the soil lives an active group of teaming organisms. Healthy soil is rich in organic matter, soil microbes, insects, earthworms, microscopic plants and animals. Good soil has a 'sweet' smell and is moist. The 'sweet' smell lets you know that your soil has energy and is very active. The 'sweet' smell is an acquired smell for the discerning gardening. You know you are passionate about gardening when you love that 'sweet' smell.
Organic matter is made up of leaves, twigs, bodies of animals, kitchen scrap, etc and breaksdown to become brown to blackish, crumbly material. This material is called humus. Humus is active and energized with a capacity to slowly release water and minerals to the soil. This slow release of the good stuff is taken up by the plants.
'There is 'Life in the Soil' for organic gardeners. When your soil is healthy it is teaming with microbes. These microbes are vital to sustain the organic process. They must be kept healthy to continue the breakdown of organic matter and feed the soil which in turn feeds your plants. Healthy soils contain bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa, algae (molds) and beneficial nematodes.

• Bacteria can live in acid and alkaline soils as well as aerobic and anaerbic soils. They help decay organic matter, encourage reactions that have strong effects on plant growth and fix nitrogen from the air. Fixing nitrogen from the air is an important factor. Most gardeners think they have to feed high nitrogen to plants. If you work harder towards healthier soil, then you organically fix nitrogen which lowers the nitrogen demand from your fertilizers. Bacteria are found mostly in the top one foot of soil.
• Actinomycetes live in well aerated and neutral to alkaline soils. Even if you live in acid soil conditions you can work to bring your PH balance closer to neutral for the benefits (the PH balance scale is 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral showing a ph less than 7 is acidic soil and a ph greater than 7 is alkaline soil). They look like white, stringy fungus threads on decaying organic matter. They do not survive well in waterlogged soils. Have you ever walked into a damp forest and caught a whiff of that earthy smell? Well these little creatures are what gives you the earthy 'sweet' smell of healthy soil.
• Fungi are multicelled and single-celled primitive plants. They love well drained, acidic soils with high levels of oxygenation. The Mycorrhizal fungi help development of healthy root systems by growing on roots and effectively enlarging the root surface area to take up nutrients from the soil. You can sometimes see these white threadlike hairs on roots. Mycorrhizal fungi will grow naturally in healthy soil and can be sped up with certain products. Some composts list this fungi as an ingredient.
• Protozoa are microscopic in size and help to regulate the size of the bacteria community in the soil.
• Algae and molds are amoeba-like organisms that live in rotting wood and decaying matter. They are in manure and lawn thatch. They grow larger in healthy soils and group to resemble slime or jelly. These molds do not effect plant growth unless the the plant is completely covered. They can range from tan to black in color.
• Nematodes are the most abundant multicelled creatures on earth. They are microscopic, tubular creatures that live in moist soils and on water. Bad nemtaodes with sometimes cause growths on roots which will effect the health of a plant. Beneficial nematodes efectively control grubs, fire ants, fleas and other pests. All soil have both bad and beneficial nematodes. However, the healthier the soil the more beneficial nematodes you will find.

Knowing your soil is an important factor on your path to being an organic gardener. If you have been using chemicals, then you will have depleted your microbe community. Do not fear, you can bring them back. Following the first step I gave last week will start the community growing again. Now, regaining this little creature community will not happen overnight. It will take you at least 12 to 18 months to really notice your garden and lawn self-sustaining health. Organic gardening is not an instant cure and will bring you unbelievable rewards in the long run.
One thing I would recommend is taking a soil sample and sending to a lab so you know what is in your yard. You will also be able to learn your ph balance which helps with your future plans for gardening. I recommend 'Texas Plant and Soil lab' located in Edinburgh Texas. You can give them a call at 956-383-0739 for instructions on sampling and information about the testing and results.
Stay tuned next week as we explore the minerals in your healthy soil.