Read about the Sure Shot Signs that Show Your Soil is Bad, and You Should Discard It from your garden or pots for thriving plants.
Wondering what could be the best way to judge the quality of a growing medium? Here are the Sure Shot Signs that Show Your Soil is Bad, and You Should Discard It!
What is Healthy Soil?
Good or healthy soil consists of carbon-based organic matter that aids in creating pockets that store water and air. When water is poured on top of the soil, it is absorbed quickly and saved in air pockets. Because of these pockets, healthy soil feels spongy.
What is Unhealthy Soil?
Compacted, poor, unhealthy soil feels solid and hard, which also limits the growth of the plant roots. The water on the compacted soil is not absorbed and just runs over the soil surface, taking away loose soil with it (soil erosion). When erosion takes place, parched plant roots and soil under the surface miss the required water.
Sure Shot Signs that Show Your Soil is Bad, and You Should Discard It!
1. Cracked Soil
Soil erosion from heavy rains or wind can make the soil dry, dusty, and cracked, making it difficult for plants to survive. The soil can also turn dry or cracked due to less or no irrigation or low rainfall. You can discard this kind of soil or restore it with regular watering.
2. Poor Growth
Poor plant growth is also one of the biggest indicators of poor soil, which leads to withering plants, leggy growth, and leaf dieback. It can be due to contamination and excessive soil acidity.
3. Difficult to Dig Holes
It’s a sure sign when you find it tough to dig a hole in the soil. This can make it complex for plants to take the oxygen and water required for growth. It can be due to contamination, foot traffic, and construction.
4. Lack of Moisture
Bad or unhealthy soil lacks moisture and nutrients, which makes it dry and cracked. When you touch or pick this kind of soil, it may crumble quickly, or it can be difficult to break.
5. Color of the Soil
Bad soil looks dirt, dry, and brown. Poor soil becomes muddy when watered, whereas good soil absorbs moisture and does not have a muddy feel.
6. Bugs
Bugs are one more sign that indicates soil lacks nutrients or the temperature is not appropriate. They generally attack weak plants, and that’s due to poor soil. The temperature issue can be fixed with the help of mulch.
7. White Crust on Soil
If you notice a white crust on the soil, it’s due to too much salt accumulation in the root part that badly affects the plant growth; it impedes the roots from removing water from the surrounding soil. This decreases the amount of water available to the plant irrespective of the quantity of water in the root area.
8. Clay soil
If the soil looks heavy, water tends to settle on the ground instead of soaking in, which implies you have clay soil. You can easily identify it if the soil sticks to shoes make huge blockheads that are difficult to separate, stays on garden tools like glue, and cracks in dry weather. It doesn’t drain well and does not have enough space between mineral particles.
9. Fungus in the Soil
Fungus in the soil can infect the roots and cause root rot, wilt, and damping-off diseases. Basically, there are 8000 types of fungus, and if you are not sure what kind of fungus is affecting your garden soil, then discard it or take a sample to the local extension office for a free soil test.
10. Too Wet Soil
This problem exists in low-lying areas and clay soils; it happens due to compact soil particles that don’t drain well. Combining sand or gravel can improve this issue.
11. Acidic Soil
Poor drainage, heavy rains, and high nitrogen fertilizers cause acidic soil. Use lime to solve the problem with low pH; the use depends on the soil’s pH and type. It is suggested to use not more than approx 1 kg per 9 square meters.
12. Excessively Dry Soil
If the soil dries fast, then amend it by adding compost to it; this will boost the nutrients and water-holding ability of the soil. It is suggested that mature compost be applied.
Related: Hydrophobic Soil: Causes and How to Fix It