Compost for Less Watering

One of the difficulties facing us today is the growing lack of water. It is not sure what differences global warming will bring to our water supply but it will change, and not for the better it seems. Be that as it may, it merely raises the challenge for the home gardener to use water well and wisely. One of the first places to look is the soil.

If you have clay soil that means that it consists in large part of very small soil particles. These particles are so small that water has a hard time getting down between them. The soil may look wet but it likely all surface water as very little goes down very far. In the event water does reach down it will be so dense in its movement that it will suffocate the plant roots, leaving no room for air. Sometimes, especially after a rain, you may see it puddling on the surface and evaporating into the air as it leaves behind a hard, impermeable surface and plants that need water.

Sandy soil on the other hand, has larger soil particles that let water move freely. Generally this is too free a movement and not enough stays around for the plants. The soil always feels dry and the plants wilt by mid day. Unfortunately the moving water also takes available food with it.

For some strange reason, compost is the answer to both problems. In clay soil, compost moves in between the soil particles and uses its large mass to break up the clumps, making a more friable soil. Water is held by the compost and is taken by the plants as needed. After a rain or watering the water is able to move downward but is also held by the composting material to be available for a long time. The drying surface is broken up by organic matter so as not to form a hard surface but rather one that breathes.

In sandy soil the opposite happens. Compost bonds to the soil particles and bridges some of the gaps, allowing more water to stay near the surface and be available to plant roots. Not only does the available food in the soil stay near the plant roots but the compost itself adds to the nutrient value of the soil.

Add compost for healthy soil. Healthy soil grows healthy plants.