At the end of every growing season, the soil is depleted of nutrients that support healthy plant growth. That’s why it’s necessary to amend the soil with a conditioning product after harvest to ensure that the next season’s crops will be just as healthy as the last.

Soil conditioning is integral to sustainable farming because it helps maintain healthy soil and plant growth.

If you haven’t tried amending the soil with soil conditioners or are unsure what products are best for the garden, we’ve made this guide just for you!

What is a Soil Conditioner?

Soil conditioner is an additive applied to soils to make them more suitable for growing different crops. These products come with different formulations to address various soil deficiencies. Generally, soil conditioners are used to:

• Improve soil texture and consistency
• Boost nutrient uptake
• Accelerate plant root development
• Increase water retention capabilities
• Boost drainage
• Improve soil fertility
• Neutralize acidity
• Support microbial activity
• Enhance aeration
• Prevent soil erosion

Soil conditioners can be made from natural and organic materials or nonorganic materials. Which one is best for your garden? It depends on many factors, such as the garden’s soil type and the crops you want to grow.

How is Soil Conditioner Beneficial to Plants?

Soil conditioners are beneficial for plants in various ways. It helps improve soil structure, boosts soil fertility, increases water retention capacity, and rebalances soil pH.

Improve soil structure: Not all garden soils are ideal for growing crops. Some soils are too loose, while others are dense or compacted. Adding soil conditioners improves soil structure, making garden soil more suitable for growing crops.

Boosts soil fertility: Some soils are deficient in nutrients plant needs to grow healthy. In most cases, soils are depleted of nutrients after the growing season. Amending the soil with soil conditioners brings nutrients back into the soil for plants to absorb.

Increase water retention capacity: Some soils drain water too quickly, which can dehydrate plants. Soil conditioners improve soil’s ability to hold water while reducing water runoff and erosion.

Rebalancing soil pH: Some soils are too alkaline, and others are too acidic. A balanced pH is ideal for healthy plant growth. Adding soil conditioners can rebalance the soil’s pH to optimize plant growth.

Types of Soil Conditioners

There are two types of soil conditioners, organic and nonorganic soil conditioners. Organic soil conditioners are made with natural materials, while nonorganic soil conditioners are made with inorganic materials.

Organic soil conditioners include:

• Compost
• Animal manure
• Humic acid
• Seaweed extract

Compost: A type of soil amendment material made from decomposed organic matter like dried leaves, kitchen waste, and yard waste.

Manure: Consists of animal waste that is matured and composted. Chicken, cow, and horse dung are typically used as soil conditioners.

Humic acid: Humic acid consists of organic molecules from completely decayed organic matter. It contains essential nutrients that promote better plant growth.

Seaweed extract: Marine plants are a rich source of essential nutrients plant needs to grow, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Seaweed also contains antioxidants that protect plants from oxidative stress.

On the other hand, inorganic soil conditioners are typically made from minerals such as:

• Gypsum
• Lime
• Vermiculite
• Perlite

Gypsum: A type of mineral that boosts soil structure. It breaks up dense clay soils and improves water drainage.

Lime: A mineral used to neutralize soil acidity and improve soil consistency.

Vermiculite: This mineral is added to the soil to improve the structure of sandy soils. Vermiculite also enhances the soil’s water-holding capacity.

Perlite: A type of volcanic rock used to boost air aeration and improve soil structure

Is Soil Conditioner Better than Compost?

Though similar, soil conditioners and compost are different products used for different purposes. Their main difference is their structure. Soil conditioners have finer particles, while compost has larger particles.

Compost is used to improve soil fertility and structure. Its particles are bigger than soil conditioners. Unlike soil conditioners, you can grow crops in compost. Soil conditioners are strictly soil additives used to improve the soil’s physical properties and boost fertility. Soil conditioners can be organic and nonorganic, while compost is precisely made from organic or natural materials.

While different, compost and soil conditioners help improve soil quality and support healthy plant growth.

Improving Soil Health with ECOgardener Natural Soil Conditioners

Going natural is the best way to improve soil health. ECOgardener offers a range of soil conditioners made from organic materials: humic acid and seaweed extract soil conditioners. Both products are made from natural materials and are safe and sustainable. These soil conditioners are responsibly made and will not cause soil and water pollution.

Amending the soil with natural conditioners is the best way to ensure a higher yield come harvest season! These products improve soil structure, boost soil fertility, and support microbial activity.