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.

SOIL CONDITIONING

Have you ever thought about how healthy your soil condition is in your garden? Do your plants look very weary from the summer? If you answer No and Yes to these questions, you need to know more about how you can have healthier soil which will bring you healthier plants...even in drought. This blog will take you on an organic garden journey to help you better undertsand and learn to love the land.

I am an organic gardening junkie and have always fed my soil as if it were my favorite pet. In nature, life starts at the bottom to sustain what is on top. Soil is one of the most important things in a plant's life. It gives the plant a place to grow, gives access to fertilizer and water which means that your soil foundation will either help a plant die or help a plant thrive in your garden.

Think about what happens when you do not take care of your body. Well, soil will react the same way. All the chemical stuff that you use in your garden may give your plants that instant look of green and color but does nothing for the soil which leads to eventual failure of your garden. A good organic program in your garden and lawn will give you unbelievable results and lead to healthier and stronger plants, lower maintenance, lower gardening bills and paradise in your garden.

I started organic gardening about 25 years ago when my daughter was born. I attended organic classes (very few in the Central Texas area at that time) and started applying those techniques. I had great success with my flower, herb and vegetable gardens. However, I still found myself only using products that were suggested and never really understanding what they do. I just knew they were not chemicals and made our life healthier.

When I embarked on a career in a retail nursery, I then started to really study why organics did what they do. I learned about all the little creatures and fungi in the ground and how it worked together with leaves and soil to basically recreate natures forest floor. I applied all of this new knowledge in my own yard and had greater success. I attended every organic class I could and learned to decipher the difference between 'rich' smelling dirt and 'bad' smelling dirt. I was even further hooked and started teaching organics to gardeners that requested me to help them with their lawns and gardens.

I believe that everyone should be organic gardeners to make your life and the earth healthier. To help you get started on an organic program, I have put together some basic baby steps to help make your gardens healthier:

1. Pick-up a soil conditioner (organic) spray at your local nursery. Suggestions: Garrett Juice, Vitazyme (Earth-Safe), Gardenville products or any soil conditioner that contains at least molasses and compost tea. Spray as directed on your flower, herb and vegetable gardens.

2. Buy 'true' compost from a reputable company and apply a 1" to 2" layer on the soil and around the plants in your flower, herb and vegetable gardens.

3. Buy mulch to finish the process. There are many mulches to choose from and I have my favorites...Shredded Cedar, Shredded Native Mulch, Shredded Hardwood and even a partial compost. Apply a 3" to 4" layer on the soil while remaining at least 1" away from the base of your plants (this keeps moisture and bugs from concentraing on the stem). Remember that mulch is used to retain moisture, buffer from temperature extremes, reduce weeds and protect the health of your little soil creatures so they can do their job.

4. Buy a granular organic fertilizer and apply every two months during the growing season. Next buy an organic foliar fertilizer spray and apply twice a month to flower and herb gardens, while applying weekly on vegetable gardens.

5. Buy organic pesticides and only use when absolutely necessary. Remember when you feed the soil which in turn feeds your garden, the plants will build healthier defense systems to fight off pests. There are alot of beneficial creatures in the world and it is ok to ha some in your garden. Learn to love nature.

6. STOP USING CHEMICALS. Using chemicals kills the beneficial little soil creatures which reduces your gardens ability to sustain a healthier life. Every living thing dies and rots. Nature knows how to take care of recycling the dead things to produce food for the living things.

Organic practices are the original gardening practices on earth. The cycle of life has been working through nature for thousands of years to sustain and nurture our planet. There is alot to learn about organics and as the weeks go by, this blog will guide you down the 'organic path'. I am suggesting the following books for reading enjoyment and learning:

*The Organic Manual - Howard Garrett

*Lessons in Nature - Malcom Beck

*Texas Organic Gardening - Howard Garrett

*Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening - Howard Garrett/Malcolm Beck

*The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control - Rodale Press (Edited by Barbara Ellis and Fern Marshall Bradley

Stay tuned next week for continued discussion on Soil Conditioning

If you have any questions, just e-mail me and we can chat.