The most important tips for healthy garden soil
In spring, one of the first steps in the garden is to prepare the beds. This lays the foundation for healthy plants and a rich harvest. Soil activators, rock powders and lime help you to get the garden soil going in a completely natural way. You can find out how these soil conditioners work and what they are used for in this blog.
Contents
Why soil conditioners can be important helpers in the garden
At the outset, let’s address an important question: Why doesn’t nature actually need soil improvers? This is easily explained. The natural cycle, as it occurs, for example, in the forest, naturally ensures a healthy soil with good structure: Constant input of organic matter, such as fallen leaves or decomposing plants, and their breakdown by microorganisms, continuously facilitates natural humus formation.
Continuous supply of humus, for instance, in the form of leaf litter, or decaying plants, and their decomposition by microorganisms, ensure that the soil maintains its natural water retention capacity, a crumbly structure, and its nutrient balance.
Soil is not dead matter, but contains a variety of microorganisms. These organisms need organic material to live, and in turn, form humus, which makes the soil loose and fertile. They break down the organic matter into tiny particles, thus storing important nutrients in the soil. Therefore, healthy soil is the foundation for healthy plant growth!
However, in most gardens, the natural cycle is interrupted because they are not purely natural gardens. Moreover, often neat and “tidy” gardens with large lawns are preferred (monocultures!).
In small gardens, it is often not possible to collect enough diverse material for a good homemade compost with which one could replace the cycle. Or, mineral fertilizers have been used for many years before switching to an organic garden.
As a result, it is common for the soil to lack humus, nutrients, and a loose crumbly structure. This can lead to waterlogging or compacted soil in which plant roots cannot find good support or do not have enough strength to continue growing because they cannot be adequately supplied with water.
Even fertilizing does not help here because the fertilizer cannot be retained in the soil but seeps into the groundwater, or biological fertilizers must first be converted into nutrients, which, however, relies on biological soil activity. And this is exactly where soil improvers come into play.
How do soil conditioners work and how is the application done?
Soil conditioners are a natural but highly effective “vitamin boost” for sustainably fertile soil. Soil conditioners cultivate important microorganisms in the soil, which form new humus and thus significantly improve soil quality.
Soil conditioners can be used preventively for healthy soils, but also acutely for depleted soil, as well as very heavy or very light soils (especially clayey or sandy soils). The main functions of soil conditioners are:
- Establishment of microorganisms that activate soil life
- Improvement of soil structure
- Protection against drying out
- Increased fertility of the soil
- Nutrients can be stored and released to plants more effectively
- Organic fertilizers can achieve their effects more effectively in healthy soil
Overview: Three important soil conditioners in the organic garden
| Feature | Soil Activator | Rock Dust | Lime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | For all garden and lawn areas, even when planting directly in the bed. Ideal after soil compaction or years of mineral fertilization. | For all garden, balcony, and potted plants as well as for the lawn. Also suitable for plant infusions. | For lawn and all garden areas. |
| Ingredients | Organic substances, lime, algae extracts, clay minerals, microorganisms, fungi, yeasts | Finely ground volcanic rock (100% from Austria!), containing important minerals including iron, manganese, boron, zinc, and other trace elements. Enriched with soil-improving lactic acid bacteria. | Lime from drinking water softening and therefore not mined like conventional lime. This conserves natural resources and is completely CO2 neutral. |
| Benefits | Stimulates soil life and root hair formation, improves soil structure, ensures better aeration. Supports optimal, healthy growth. | Promotes plant growth and supplies the soil with important trace elements. This can correct deficiencies in the plants. Makes plants more resistant to pests. Increases nutrient storage capacity in the soil. Reduces odor during composting and accelerates decomposition. | Regulates pH and prevents soil acidification: This allows nutrients to be better absorbed by the plants. Increases soil fertility. Contains soil-reviving microorganisms. Suppresses moss. |
| How to apply | Work into the upper soil layer (10 – 15 cm). Spread on vegetated areas, water in. | Apply with a watering can or sprinkle on the soil and work 2-3 cm deep into the soil. Can be used all year round. | Spread by hand or with a spreader. |
Important: Soil conditioners do not replace the garden fertilizer, but ensure that the fertilizer can work well and that its properties can be used at all. The diagram shows an example of the development of a plant in direct comparison: without fertilizer, with BioFertilizer, and when using BioFertilizer AND soil activator:
When is the right time to apply soil conditioners? Soil conditioners can be applied for the first time from March onwards to activate the soil after winter and create a healthy foundation for lawn or other plants. For lawns, it’s best to apply soil conditioners once the snow has melted and the lawn area has dried out.
After that, we recommend regular application, whether for the lawn or in the bed, depending on the soil condition, until October. There is no risk of overdosing. If the soil is in good condition, a single application in early spring is sufficient. Tip: Granulated soil conditioners like our Bio Soil Activator or our Bio Active Lime are particularly easy to apply as they are almost dust-free.
For the application of rock dust, it is recommended to choose a calm day due to its dusty texture or to use a protective mask.
