Soil Prep & Amendments

Healthy SoilHealthy Plants Healthy Planet Supports plants Holds nutrients, water, air & helpful organisms

Soil Composition Decomposed rock particles Organic matter from decomposing plants & animals Air Water Living organisms Is it dirt or is it soil?

Soil Texture and Type Sand Silt Clay The larger the particles - the faster water passes through it

Soil Test Rough & Gritty SANDY Sticky CLAY Slippery SILT

Increasing Soil Fertility Replenish nutrients

Nature’s Way

Compost A Controlled Process BREAKDOWN SPEED Carbon Nitrogen Aeration Moisture Volume

Supplies organic matter to soil Attracts earthworms Stimulates beneficial soil microorganisms Increases soil water holding capacity Increases soil nutrient retention Reduces organics in landfills Why Compost

Vermicomposting A classroom exploration into life cycles

Building and Maintaining Healthy Soil  Understand our soil  Keep it nutrient-rich  Cover with mulch  Maintain good aeration