Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
While it is recommended that gardens be watered at a rate that
approximates 1" of rain weekly,
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the amount and frequency
of watering is determined to some degree by soil variables.
Though these can be tested, it is far easier to just observe.
Start off by checking to see if your crops look like they need
water in less than a week. If they do, then you know you
should be watering more often. Watering more in a given
session likely will not help because the excess water will
simply drain, but watering more frequently will supply what
is needed. Over time, additions of compost will improve
water-holding capacity. If the water-holding capacity seems
seriously lacking, you can amend with vermiculite at the rate
of two cubic feet of vermiculite per thirty-two square feet of
garden soil. Vermiculite is mica that has been heated and
popped like popcorn, and it does well at taking up and
releasing water.
Analyzing Your Soil's Biological Activity
A very important factor that should be measured in soil is its
biological activity. This is the quantity and activity of
microorganisms in the soil. The health of microbes in the soil
is important because it is the interaction between microbes
and the roots of plants that converts nutrients from an organic
form useless to the plants into an inorganic form that plants
can readily assimilate. Such a measurement reflects many
underlying factors of soil fertility, as healthy microbes
indicate a healthy soil. Furthermore, microbes tie up certain
nutrients and make them available as needed. Thus, the
amount of supplementation for nitrogen that a soil test
indicates is required can be reduced if biological activity is
high. This is because a soil test for nitrogen only tests for
inorganic nitrates, and can't take the nitrogen available in
