1. Soil Properties
Essential Standard Explain the role of nutrients and fertilizers.

2. Objective 5.01
Discuss Horticulture soils

3. Soils and growing media
Soils and growing media are made up of two types of materials
Organic matter
Inorganic compounds

4. Peat Moss Organic and has a slightly acidic pH
Partially decomposed material mined from swamps
Good moisture holding properties

5. Organic Matter Dead plant or animal tissue contains carbon
usually has diseases or insects

6. Compost Decayed organic matter
Used for soil conditioning and fertilizer

7. Bark Organic and has slightly acid pH
Larger matter added to some horticulture media to promote drainage
Adding bark to a soilless media mix usually makes the mix heavier
Widely used in tree and shrub production

8. Sphagnum Moss Organic and very acidic
Dehydrated remains of acid bog plants
Holds moisture
Commonly used to line hanging baskets

9. Other Types of Organic Matter
Sawdust-high carbon to nitrogen ratio makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use
Wood shavings- high carbon to nitrogen ratio makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use

10. Inorganic compounds
Do not contain carbon
usually sterile

11. Types of inorganic compounds
Soilless media-artificial soil
Vermiculite
Perlite

12. Vermiculite Inorganic Slightly alkaline pH
Light-weight mica mineral matter commonly used to start seed and cuttings
Holds moisture and has a near-neutral pH

13. Vermiculite

14. Perlite Inorganic Slightly alkaline pH Natural volcanic material
Helps with soil aeration and drainage

15. Perlite

16. Advantages of horticultural soils
Sterile.
pH is neutral.
Disease and weed free.
It is good for starting disease sensitive seeds
Tomato
It is easy to control the nutrient content
Improves crop uniformity.
It is easy to create a horticulture soil for particular plant needs.

17. Disadvantages
Expensive
It is light weight

18. Carbon : Nitrogen Materials with a high carbon to nitrogen ratio
Sawdust
Wood shavings
Makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use
Organic materials must be well rotted or decomposed to avoid problems with nitrogen tie-up