Dig It

The way to a lush lawn and garden starts with healthy, fertile soil. Soil is composed of a combination of materials, including minerals and rock, decaying organic matter, air, water, living microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and yeast, and larger creatures such as earthworms. The living organisms break down the organic matter into nutrients, which in turn feed root systems and fuel your plants’ growth. That’s why maintaining a balance of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) and micronutrients (calcium and zinc) is so important to producing a spectacular lawn and garden. Here are the best ways to boost the quality of your soil naturally.

1. Layer in compost

Nothing beats feeding the earth with nutritious organic compost or “black gold”—decomposed organic matter that may include vegetable and fruit peelings, lawn and garden trimmings, manure, wood and soiled paper. Not only is it an excellent source of nutrients when turned into the soil or used as mulch or top-dressing, the hardy pathogens in organic compost help suppress soil-based diseases by monopolizing the food supply.

How-to Make your own compost by mixing one part higher-nutrient organic matter (manure or compost) with two to three parts lower-nutrient matter (leaves or clippings from your lawn and garden). Till it into the soil in the spring and fall. No time to do it yourself? Call on a lawn care professional who specializes in natural solutions.

2. Use earthworm manure

Soil gets a big boost from vermicompost (the product of composting with earthworms, usually redworms). The worms create a fine black granular compost called “castings,” which are a superior source of slow-release soil nutrients for gardens and potted plants. According to a study conducted by soil scientists at Ohio State University, using a mixture of 10 to 20 percent vermicompost to soil in seedling mix or container soil may eliminate the need for additional fertilization.

How-to Add it to your soil, and then top dress your lawn with it once or twice throughout the season. Find out how to create your own vermicompost here.

3. Grow alfalfa

A crop cover that adds nutrients to soil is called “green manure.” And alfalfa, a sprouting member of the legume family, is a particularly useful green manure for elevating your soil’s nitrogen level—essential for plant growth and the production of chlorophyll, which makes plants green. Alfalfa’s long roots also help to break up dense subsoil and bring up micronutrients from 10 to 15 feet beneath your lawn’s surface. Best of all, alfalfa clippings make a terrific mulch that conserves moisture while slowly releasing nitrogen and the growth stimulant triacontanol.

How-to Plant it as a carpet on garden walkways or as a hedge by vegetables. No room to grow alfalfa? Buy it in pellet or meal form from your local garden centre for the same nutrient-boosting benefits.

4. Spread kitchen leftovers

Coffee grounds give soil a pick-me-up of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace minerals. Dried, pulverized eggshells are a rich source of calcium.

How-to Spread used coffee grounds around the base of acid-friendly plants. Sprinkle ground eggshells on soil.

For lawn care professionals and garden centres that offer natural and organic supplies and services, search the Green Living Guides