1. Properties of Soils Unit 5.01

2. Inorganic vs Organic What is the difference? Organic contains carbon
Inorganic does not
Organic is dead plant or animal tissue
Inorganic is living tissue or minerals

3. Organic Media
Peat Moss
Compost
Bark
Sphagnum

4. Organic Media Peat Moss
Partially decomposed material mined from the swamps
Good moisture holding properties

5. Organic Media Compost Decayed organic matter
Used for soil conditioning and fertilization

7. Organic Media
Bark
Larger matter added to some horticulture media to promote drainage
Adding bark to a soilless mixture usually make the mix heavier
Widely used in tree and shrub production

8. Organic Media Sphagnum Moss Dehydrated remains of acid bog plants
Sphagnum moss holds moisture

9. Inorganic Media
Vermiculite
Perlite

10. Inorganic Media Vermiculite
A mica mineral matter commonly used to start seed and cuttings
Holds moisture and has a neutral pH

11. Inorganic Media Perlite Natural volcanic ash material
Helps with soil aeration and water holding capacity

12. Advantages of horticultural soils
The soil is sterile
The pH is neutral
The soil is disease and weed free
It is good for starting disease sensitive seeds (tomato)
It is easy to control the nutrient content of the soil
It improves crop uniformity
It is easy to create a horticulture soil for particular plant needs

13. Disadvantages of horticultural soils
It is expensive
It is light weight

14. Additional materials used in soilless media
Sawdust
Has a high carbon to nitrogen ratio
Makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use

15. Additional materials used in soilless media
Wood Shavings
Have a high carbon to nitrogen ratio
Make nitrogen unavailable for plant use