SOIL PREPARATIONSOIL PREPARATIONAn Earthkind MethodAn Earthkind Method

Vincent J. Mannino, Vincent J. Mannino,

County Extension Director – Fort BendCounty Extension Director – Fort Bend

The Ideal Soil Contains:The Ideal Soil Contains:

5% Organic Matter5% Organic Matter 1% Micro/Macro Organisms1% Micro/Macro Organisms 45% Minerals45% Minerals 25% Air25% Air 25% Water25% Water

Organic MatterOrganic MatterCompostCompost - Everything that was once living. - Everything that was once living.

Tree leavesTree leaves Grass clippingGrass clipping Kitchen scrapsKitchen scraps Old plants - flowers, Old plants - flowers,

herbs, and vegetablesherbs, and vegetables And lots of other And lots of other

stuff...stuff...

Soil Micro/Macro-organismsSoil Micro/Macro-organismsAll the critters that are still living include:All the critters that are still living include:

Micro-organisms:Micro-organisms: Bacteria, fungi, yeast, nematodes, algae, etc.Bacteria, fungi, yeast, nematodes, algae, etc.

Macro-organisms:Macro-organisms: Earthworms, sow & pill bugs, snails and slugs, Earthworms, sow & pill bugs, snails and slugs,

earwigs, millipedes & centipedes, fire ants, earwigs, millipedes & centipedes, fire ants, termites, springtails and snakes.termites, springtails and snakes.

AirAirThe soil’s most plentiful component!The soil’s most plentiful component!

Oxygen - about 45%Oxygen - about 45%

Carbon - about 44% Carbon - about 44%

Hydrogen - about 6%Hydrogen - about 6%

Ideal Mineral AmountsIdeal Mineral AmountsToo little causes deficiencies,Too little causes deficiencies,

Too much causes toxicities & ties up other mineralsToo much causes toxicities & ties up other minerals Primary NutrientsPrimary Nutrients

Nitrogen - 2-4 % Nitrogen - 2-4 % Phosphates - 0.5%Phosphates - 0.5% Potassium -11.1%Potassium -11.1%

Secondary NutrientsSecondary Nutrients Calcium - 6.5 %, 650 ppm Calcium - 6.5 %, 650 ppm Magnesium -0.3%Magnesium -0.3% Sulfur - 0.5%Sulfur - 0.5%

MicronutrientsMicronutrients Iron - 50-400 ppmIron - 50-400 ppm Zinc - 15-50 ppmZinc - 15-50 ppm Manganese - 20-200 ppmManganese - 20-200 ppm

Salts (sodium & chloride) - hopefully noneSalts (sodium & chloride) - hopefully none

Total SaltsTotal SaltsWhat’s Good & What’s Not!What’s Good & What’s Not!

Low Salinity Hazard = Low Salinity Hazard = < 160 ppm < 160 ppm

Medium Salinity Hazard = Medium Salinity Hazard = 161 -480 ppm161 -480 ppm

High Salinity Hazard = High Salinity Hazard = 481 -1440 ppm481 -1440 ppm

Very High Salinity Hazard = Very High Salinity Hazard = > 1440 ppm> 1440 ppm

LOCATING THE GARDENLOCATING THE GARDENThe First Step:The First Step:

SunshineSunshine Full sun (>6 hours per day for Full sun (>6 hours per day for

flowers & fruits)flowers & fruits) Partial sun (4-6 hours per day) Partial sun (4-6 hours per day) Shade (4 hours or less for leafy Shade (4 hours or less for leafy

plants)plants)

LOCATING THE GARDENLOCATING THE GARDENThe Second Step:The Second Step:

DrainageDrainage Do a “perk” test. Total drainage in 24 hours or Do a “perk” test. Total drainage in 24 hours or

less is good, greater than 24 is bad and a raised bed less is good, greater than 24 is bad and a raised bed is a must. is a must.

LOCATING THE GARDENLOCATING THE GARDENThe Third Step:The Third Step:

CompetitionCompetition WeedsWeeds - Avoid areas of the landscape that contain - Avoid areas of the landscape that contain

hard to manage, noxious weeds. hard to manage, noxious weeds. Use: Solarization, heavy mulches, or cover crops. Use: Solarization, heavy mulches, or cover crops.

Tree and ShrubTree and Shrub roots under the garden will grow roots under the garden will grow upward in search of water and nutrients. upward in search of water and nutrients. Use: Weed barriers that are permeable to air Use: Weed barriers that are permeable to air and water. and water.

Solarization ProcessSolarization Process Till to break up clodsTill to break up clods Add organic matterAdd organic matter Dampen for heat buildup and retentionDampen for heat buildup and retention Spread a 4-6 mil clear plastic sheetSpread a 4-6 mil clear plastic sheet Bury sidesBury sides Let stand for 6-8 weeks. Heats to 140 Let stand for 6-8 weeks. Heats to 140

degrees F. at the surface and up to 110 degrees F. at the surface and up to 110 at 12 inch soil depth at 12 inch soil depth

Kills soil micro and Kills soil micro and macro-organisms in the macro-organisms in the top 6 in. of soiltop 6 in. of soil

LOCATING THE GARDENLOCATING THE GARDENThe Fourth Step:The Fourth Step:

Garden SizeGarden Size 400 sq. ft. - the recommended 400 sq. ft. - the recommended

size for a family of foursize for a family of four Takes 1 hour of maintenance Takes 1 hour of maintenance

per dayper day 7 days per week7 days per week

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENThe First Step:The First Step:

Single till or double till the Single till or double till the entire plot to 4-8 inches.entire plot to 4-8 inches.

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENThe Second Step:The Second Step:

For raised For raised beds add beds add sandy loam sandy loam soil to a soil to a depth of 4-6 depth of 4-6 inches.inches.

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENThe Second Step:The Second Step:

Check the pHCheck the pH Add lime to Add lime to increaseincrease the pH the pH Add sulfur or peat to Add sulfur or peat to decreasedecrease the pH the pH

My CountyMy County

What is pH?What is pH?

pH is the potential of the hydrogen ion The logarithm of the reciprocal of the

hydrogen-ion concentration in gram atoms per liter.

The balance of  hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions and is therefore pH neutral (pH 7)

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0-14 (where 7 is neutral)

What does all that mean?What does all that mean?

You ain’t got You ain’t got no business no business messin with messin with what you can’t what you can’t understand.understand. Soil

Report

pH Alteration Table - LimepH Alteration Table - LimePounds of Lime Needed to Raise Soil pH

to 6.5 (lbs. per 1,000 square feet)

Soil pHSand

Soil TypeLoam

Clay

6.0 20 lbs 35 lbs. 50 lbs.

5.5 45 lbs. 75 lbs. 100 lbs.

5.0 65 lbs. 110 lbs. 150 lbs.

4.5 80 lbs. 150 lbs. 200 lbs.

4.0 100 lbs. 175 lbs. 230 lbs.

Note: For amounts greater than 50 lbs., split into multiple treatments of 50 lbs. or less with a 2-week interval between applications.

pH Alteration Table - SulfurpH Alteration Table - SulfurPounds of Sulfur Needed to Lower Soil pH

to 6.5 (lbs. per 1,000 square feet)

Soil pHSand

Soil TypeLoam

Clay

8.5 45 lbs. 55 lbs. 65 lbs.

8.0 25 lbs. 35 lbs. 45 lbs.

7.5 10 lbs. 16 lbs. 25 lbs.

Apply lime or sulfur with a drop-type spreader to avoid kicking up too much dust.

pH Scale

Special Considerations When Special Considerations When Changing pHChanging pH

Consider:Consider: Organic matter Organic matter

source and contentsource and content Acid rain Acid rain Soil temperatureSoil temperature Buffering capacityBuffering capacity

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENThe Third Step:The Third Step:

Amending the SoilAmending the Soil Add well rotted compost Add well rotted compost

- the more the better.- the more the better. Add aged manure – add Add aged manure – add

1-2 inches per year.1-2 inches per year.

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENThe Fourth Step:The Fourth Step:

Amending the Soil With Additional NutrientsAmending the Soil With Additional Nutrients Adding man-made nutrients Adding man-made nutrients Adding organic fertilizersAdding organic fertilizers

Adding NutrientsAdding Nutrients21-0-0 33-0-0 46-0-0

21-7-14 16-4-8

15-5-10 0-20-0

0-10-0 10-20-10

12-24-12 5-10-5

13-0-37 0-0-60 0-0-44

Adding FertilizerAdding Fertilizer

Don’t guess – Soil Test!Don’t guess – Soil Test! Use clean tools and a Use clean tools and a

clean bucketclean bucket Test the root zoneTest the root zone Take 10 plugs and mix Take 10 plugs and mix

well for one compositewell for one composite Submit with $$ 4 weeks Submit with $$ 4 weeks

prior to plantingprior to planting

Ask Your Ask Your County AgentCounty Agent

Tell him:Tell him: When was the soil test When was the soil test

takentaken Soil typeSoil type Moisture supplyMoisture supply Crop (s) to be grownCrop (s) to be grown Previous fertilizer used Previous fertilizer used

and whenand whenALVY MOORE as Hank Kimball in

“Green Acres”

Plant NutrientsPlant Nutrients Primary Nutrients:Primary Nutrients:

Nitrogen - 2-4 % , Nitrogen - 2-4 % , Phosphates - 0.5%,Phosphates - 0.5%, Potassium -11.1%,Potassium -11.1%,

Secondary Nutrients:Secondary Nutrients: Calcium - 6.5 %, 650 ppm, Calcium - 6.5 %, 650 ppm, Magnesium -0.3%,Magnesium -0.3%, Sulfur - 0.5%,Sulfur - 0.5%,

Micronutrients: Micronutrients: Iron - 50-400 ppm,Iron - 50-400 ppm, Zinc - 15-50 ppmZinc - 15-50 ppm Manganese - 20-200 ppmManganese - 20-200 ppm

TraceTrace Molybdenum Molybdenum Salts (sodium & chloride) -hopefully noneSalts (sodium & chloride) -hopefully none

FAQ’s Regarding FertilizersFAQ’s Regarding Fertilizers

Why should I fertilize my garden? What do I need know about my garden (soil type,

plant type, exposure, water source) ?What do I need to know about fertilizers?How do I choose a fertilizer? How much fertilizer should be applied?When should I fertilize? How often should fertilizer be applied?What is this I hear about environmental issues and

fertilizer application?

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENAmending with “man-made” NutrientsAmending with “man-made” Nutrients

Complete & balanced fertilizersComplete & balanced fertilizers (1:1:1 ratio): 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 13-13-13, 20-20-20 (1:1:1 ratio): 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 13-13-13, 20-20-20

Complete fertilizer & unbalanced fertilizerComplete fertilizer & unbalanced fertilizer (1:2:1 ratio): 12-24-12, 10-20-10, 10-5-10, 6- 12-6, (1:2:1 ratio): 12-24-12, 10-20-10, 10-5-10, 6- 12-6,

(3:1:2 ratio) 15-5-10, 21-7-14, (3:1:2 ratio) 15-5-10, 21-7-14, 18-6-1218-6-12

(4:1:2 ratio) 16-4-8, 20-5-10 (4:1:2 ratio) 16-4-8, 20-5-10 Incomplete fertilizersIncomplete fertilizers

21-0-0, 33-0-0, 45-0-0, 0-20-0, 0-0-60, 21-0-0, 33-0-0, 45-0-0, 0-20-0, 0-0-60,

What Do the Numbers Mean?What Do the Numbers Mean?

The numbers on the bag The numbers on the bag are important!are important!

These numbers are These numbers are referred to as the “grade” referred to as the “grade” or minimum guaranteed or minimum guaranteed analysis analysis

The numbers in order The numbers in order represent the N:P:K ratiorepresent the N:P:K ratio Nitrogen % by weightNitrogen % by weight Phosphate (P2O5) % by Phosphate (P2O5) % by

weightweight Potash (K2O) % by weightPotash (K2O) % by weight

Q.Q. How do I know what How do I know what nitrogennitrogen products are in the bag? products are in the bag? A. Look at the other information on the bag!A. Look at the other information on the bag! It will tell you the sources of N in the container.If slow release N sources are in the bag they will be listed. Slow release sources will cost more than readily available N sources.

Difference Between a Slow-Release Difference Between a Slow-Release and a Fast-Release Fertilizerand a Fast-Release Fertilizer

Fast-Release fertilizers are water soluble thus are dependent on rainfall.

Slow-Release fertilizers are water insoluble. They are broken down and released by microbial activity.

Lasts 10 weeks

Lasts 6 weeks

What Do the Numbers Mean?What Do the Numbers Mean?

The fertilizer below contains some nitrogen that is The fertilizer below contains some nitrogen that is listed as water insoluble or "WIN"  (slow release N). listed as water insoluble or "WIN"  (slow release N). The percentage is listed at 3.6%. It is also stated on a The percentage is listed at 3.6%. It is also stated on a weight basis. Therefore, 3.6 divided by 12 is .3 or weight basis. Therefore, 3.6 divided by 12 is .3 or 30%. The other 70% is considered readily available 30%. The other 70% is considered readily available nitrogen.nitrogen.

Readily available N

Slowly available N

Comparing Nitrogen Sources in Lawn FertilizerComparing Nitrogen Sources in Lawn Fertilizer

Nitrogen Source Category

Characteristic Slowly Available Readily Available

Response timeResponse time slowslow quickquick

Burn potentialBurn potential lowlow highhigh

ApplicationApplication more seldommore seldom More frequentMore frequent

Water solubilityWater solubility lowlow highhigh

ResidualResidual greater (varies)greater (varies) shortshort

CostCost highhigh lowlow

Leaching potentialLeaching potential lowerlower highhigh

Surface runoffSurface runoff reduced potentialreduced potential higher potentialhigher potential

Note: White lettering relates to water quality & environmental issues.

PREPARING THE GARDEN PREPARING THE GARDEN Adding organic fertilizers: Adding organic fertilizers:

For NitrogenFor Nitrogen Alfalfa (3-1-2) Alfalfa (3-1-2) Bat guano (10-3-1) Bat guano (10-3-1) Blood meal (12-1-1) Blood meal (12-1-1) Cottonseed meal (7-2-2) Cottonseed meal (7-2-2) Poultry manure (5- 3-2) Poultry manure (5- 3-2)

Sludge (5-3-0) Sludge (5-3-0)

Primary Nutrient - Primary Nutrient - Nitrogen (N)Nitrogen (N) Role in PlantRole in Plant

Cell growth and developmentCell growth and development keeps leaves green keeps leaves green promotes rapid vegetative growthpromotes rapid vegetative growth increases seed and tuber yield and crop increases seed and tuber yield and crop

quality. quality. 

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms appear in older parts of the plantappear in older parts of the plant plant will eventually yellow (chlorosis)plant will eventually yellow (chlorosis) slow-growing plants may show purpling slow-growing plants may show purpling Poor growth, plants spindly and prone to Poor growth, plants spindly and prone to

wiltingwilting roots are overly largeroots are overly large all plants are susceptible.all plants are susceptible.

PREPARING THE GARDEN PREPARING THE GARDEN Adding organic fertilizers:Adding organic fertilizers:

For PhosphorusFor Phosphorus Bone Meal (0-12-1) Bone Meal (0-12-1) Colloidal phosphate (0-18-0)Colloidal phosphate (0-18-0) Fish meal (7- 13-3) Fish meal (7- 13-3)

Primary NutrientPrimary Nutrient - - Phosphorus (P)Phosphorus (P)

Role in PlantRole in Plant photosynthesis, respirationphotosynthesis, respiration storing carbohydrates (energy)storing carbohydrates (energy) early plant establishmentearly plant establishment formation and quality of flowers, formation and quality of flowers,

fruits and seeds. fruits and seeds. Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms

tends to show in older tissue (reddish tends to show in older tissue (reddish purple) purple)

foliage becomes dull blue-greenfoliage becomes dull blue-green growth is slowgrowth is slow

PREPARING THE GARDEN PREPARING THE GARDEN Adding organic fertilizers :Adding organic fertilizers :

For PotassiumFor Potassium Greensand (0-2-5) Greensand (0-2-5) Molasses (1-0-5) Molasses (1-0-5) Sheep manure (5-3-2) Sheep manure (5-3-2) BlendsBlends

Bioform (4-2-4) Bioform (4-2-4) GreenSense (3-1-2)GreenSense (3-1-2) Fertilaid (4-2-0) Fertilaid (4-2-0) Tomas (8-2- 8)Tomas (8-2- 8) Ringer (9-4-4) Ringer (9-4-4) Sustane (5- 2-4)Sustane (5- 2-4) Maestro-Gro (6-2-4) Maestro-Gro (6-2-4)

Primary Nutrient - Primary Nutrient - Potassium (K)Potassium (K)

Role in PlantRole in Plant regulates water in cells, transpirationregulates water in cells, transpiration Cell strengthening, photosynthesisCell strengthening, photosynthesis carbohydrate (energy) formation & storagecarbohydrate (energy) formation & storage fruit qualityfruit quality increases resistance to stress increases resistance to stress

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms appears in older tissuesappears in older tissues Poor growthPoor growth leaf burn/spotting/mottling on the lower leavesleaf burn/spotting/mottling on the lower leaves younger leaves may show red pigmentationyounger leaves may show red pigmentation

Secondary Nutrient – Calcium (Ca)Secondary Nutrient – Calcium (Ca) Role in PlantRole in Plant

Plant strength, ie. constituent of cell wallsPlant strength, ie. constituent of cell walls important in fruit setimportant in fruit set water uptakewater uptake also involved in root and leaf development.also involved in root and leaf development.

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms growing tip burns/diesgrowing tip burns/dies wilting due to cell breakdownwilting due to cell breakdown water soaked areas in fruit water soaked areas in fruit Blossom-end rot in tomatoes and peppersBlossom-end rot in tomatoes and peppers older leaves appear torn/distorted and smallolder leaves appear torn/distorted and small decreased soil pH decreased soil pH

Secondary Nutrient – Magnesium (Mg)Secondary Nutrient – Magnesium (Mg)

Role in PlantRole in Plant essential in chlorophyll formation coloressential in chlorophyll formation color activates enzymes involved in food transportactivates enzymes involved in food transport and, sugar, fat and oil manufactureand, sugar, fat and oil manufacture important in cell multiplication and seed important in cell multiplication and seed

production.  production.   Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms

mottling and yellowing of older leavesmottling and yellowing of older leaves Leaf veins often remain greenLeaf veins often remain green Similar to iron, zinc, manganese and Similar to iron, zinc, manganese and

calcium def. calcium def. decreased soil pHdecreased soil pH

Secondary Nutrient – Sulfur (S)Secondary Nutrient – Sulfur (S)

Role in PlantRole in Plant important part of plant proteinsimportant part of plant proteins connected to chlorophyll productionconnected to chlorophyll production responsible for the odor of flavors of some responsible for the odor of flavors of some

plantsplants promotes growth and seed productionpromotes growth and seed production and, frost hardiness.   and, frost hardiness.   

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms Similar to nitrogen w/ veinal chlorosisSimilar to nitrogen w/ veinal chlorosis increased soil pHincreased soil pH

Micronutrient – Iron (Fe)Micronutrient – Iron (Fe)

Role in PlantRole in Plant connected to chlorophyll productionconnected to chlorophyll production required for energy transfer/plant enzyme required for energy transfer/plant enzyme

functions and, photosynthesis.   functions and, photosynthesis.   

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms iron is generally not lacking in the soil, but can iron is generally not lacking in the soil, but can

be locked in unavailable forms when pH is highbe locked in unavailable forms when pH is high interveinal chlorosis occurs in young foliageinterveinal chlorosis occurs in young foliage total bleaching (yellowing to whitening) of the total bleaching (yellowing to whitening) of the

foliage in severe casesfoliage in severe cases Similar symptoms to manganese deficiency. Similar symptoms to manganese deficiency. 

Micronutrient – Zinc (Zn)Micronutrient – Zinc (Zn) Role in PlantRole in Plant

Essential for growth regulation Essential for growth regulation regulating sugar consumptionregulating sugar consumption improves the efficiency of chlorophyll improves the efficiency of chlorophyll

functionfunction important in water absorption and usage. important in water absorption and usage. 

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms need to be corrected early!need to be corrected early! bright interveinal chlorosisbright interveinal chlorosis premature leaf fallpremature leaf fall Dieback/resetting of leaves Dieback/resetting of leaves

Micronutrient – Manganese (Mn)Micronutrient – Manganese (Mn)

Role in PlantRole in Plant important in photosynthesisimportant in photosynthesis important in chloroplast formationimportant in chloroplast formation Important the synthesis of some enzymes.Important the synthesis of some enzymes.

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms Leaves yellow in interveinal chlorosisLeaves yellow in interveinal chlorosis some marginal leaf chlorosissome marginal leaf chlorosis manganese is less mobile, symptoms manganese is less mobile, symptoms

appear first on young leaves.appear first on young leaves.

Micronutrient – Copper (Cu)Micronutrient – Copper (Cu)

Role in PlantRole in Plant intensifies color and flavorintensifies color and flavor essential in formation of new tissuesessential in formation of new tissues connected with respiration/photosynthesisconnected with respiration/photosynthesis promotes long storage of sugars.promotes long storage of sugars.

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms Stunting of plantsStunting of plants wilting of young tips, buds and shoots > deathwilting of young tips, buds and shoots > death older leaves develop chlorosisolder leaves develop chlorosis Affects fertilization and fruit set Affects fertilization and fruit set

Micronutrient – Boron (B)Micronutrient – Boron (B) Role in PlantRole in Plant

Important in tissue respiration and cell Important in tissue respiration and cell divisiondivision

pollination, seed productionpollination, seed production carbohydrate synthesis and transportcarbohydrate synthesis and transport regulates water uptake.regulates water uptake.

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms slows and stunts growthslows and stunts growth fruit and storage organ development is fruit and storage organ development is

impairedimpaired stems crack or are hollowstems crack or are hollow death occurs on growing tips and root tipsdeath occurs on growing tips and root tips Leaf distortionLeaf distortion

Micronutrient – Molybdenum (Mo)Micronutrient – Molybdenum (Mo)

Role in PlantRole in Plant important in leaf developmentimportant in leaf development Important in nitrogen fixationImportant in nitrogen fixation

Deficiency SymptomsDeficiency Symptoms pale leaves as in nitrogen deficiencypale leaves as in nitrogen deficiency some marginal leaf chlorosissome marginal leaf chlorosis new leaves may twist and cupnew leaves may twist and cup

Trace Element – Sodium (Na)Trace Element – Sodium (Na)

Role in PlantRole in Plant Sodium may promote healthy growthSodium may promote healthy growth Can temporarily or partially replace potassiumCan temporarily or partially replace potassium may possibly enable some plants to withstand may possibly enable some plants to withstand

drought conditions.drought conditions.

PREPARING THE GARDENPREPARING THE GARDENThe Fifth Step:The Fifth Step:

Final tilling to a depth of 6-8 inchesFinal tilling to a depth of 6-8 inches Bed the rowsBed the rows READY TO PLANT!READY TO PLANT!