What are Organic Nutrients
The word “Organic” can mean a few different things. Are we looking at nutrients that contain carbon compounds, nutrients in general that occur naturally, or maybe even nutrient products that are certified organic products?
What are organic nutrients and why are they important for a garden?
Most often when talking about organic nutrients or organic matter, it was derived from living material, like plants or animals. Common organic nutrient sources include compost, manure, and plant residue. Organic matter is decomposed by soil organisms to release valuable nutrients into the soil and make them available for your plants to absorb.
Why Are Organic Nutrients Important?
Plants need the right nutrients to grow. Poor soil health, or inadequate amendments can deprive plants of the essential nutrients that they need.
Organic matter in garden soil not only supplies necessary and valuable nutrients, but also promotes the biological health and physical structure of the diverse ecosystem that your plants rely on from your garden soil.
Soil microbes, including fungi, bacteria and larger organisms like earthworms depend on organic material to survive. They convert organic compounds into a usable form that plants can absorb. During that process, the soil organisms form a robust structure of pores in the soil that help with root growth, drainage, and the distribution of water.
The addition of organic matter to soil also helps introduce more moisture. This helps the soil retain water which is essential for plant life and supports the formation of aggregate clusters. These clusters are structures within the soil that cling together more closely. They can help regulate the depletion of organic nutrients by protecting the organic matter from biological activity. This action aids organic nutrients in providing sustained resources to the plants.
Adding organic nutrients will support soil health. Choose the right organic matter source to supply your plants with the necessary compounds that they need to grow.
