Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
When we build up our organic matter content in the soil with mulch and compost, it de-
creases the amount of fertilizers we need to apply because these organic matter sources
are full of nutrients. Also, the more carbon you have in your soil, the less fertilizers you
need to apply because the fertilizers will stay in the soil longer and will become chelated.
Chelated means they are bound with organic compounds, and consequently are more
available for microbes and plants. Let's look at our main sources of organic matter, mostly
for mulching purposes. In the next chapters, we'll look specifically at composting and
cover cropping to create humus.
