Soddy land: what is it and where to get it, from which sites it is harvested and used

Soddy soil is called a nutrient substrate, which includes a lot of plant residues. It is recommended to harvest such soil in the first half of summer. This is done in areas with dense grass cover. At the same time, experts do not advise using beds that are characterized by high or low acidity. Depending on the composition of the turf soil is light, medium or heavy.

What is turf land and where can I get it?

Soddy soil is a garden substrate that is made from the top layers of soil overgrown with clover and similar herbs. There are no components dangerous for plants in the composition of such land.

Quality substrate includes the decomposed top layers of the earth, which are harvested in areas with low acidity parameters. Layers covered with herbage rot for several years. During this time, the soil is watered with mullein and shoveled.

Soddy soil is actively used in gardening. This is due to the following features:

• contains no dangerous bacteria and mold;
• soil is little susceptible to pathologies;
• substrate has a porous structure and excellent moisture retention;
• the earth contains many mineral components;
• substrate retains its usefulness for many years.

There are several types of soddy soil:

1. Light - includes a lot of sand. It is allowed to be used for planting seedlings and rooting cuttings. The soil has a very loose and porous structure. However, it is considered not too fertile.
2. Medium - includes the same amount of sand and clay. The composition is used for many garden plants and young seedlings. Soil structure includes fertilizer and moisture.
3. Heavy - contains mostly clay. The composition holds developed roots well and swamps easily.

If layers of the wrong variety were removed during the preparation of the substrate, they can easily be changed. To do this, it is recommended to add clay rocks to a light substrate, and sand to a heavy one.

The key difference between soddy soil is low acidity. Therefore, such a composition for many plants is considered the most optimal.

Due to the low acidity of sod land, the following consequences can be avoided:

1. Lack of beneficial bacteria that hold nitrogen in the earth's structure. This means plants will not have weak or diseased shoots, scorch marks or small fruits.
2. Violation of the synthesis of carbon and proteins in the structure of fruits. The use of this type of soil reduces the likelihood of developing crops without generative organs. This contributes to a noticeable increase in yield.
3. Violation of soil composition. This means that he can remain he althy and fertile for a long time.
4. Violation of soil microflora and development of soil parasites.

If the content of sod in the soil structure is less than 50% or there are impurities in the composition of the workpiece that can provoke soil oxide, it is recommended to conduct acidity studies. Such an examination can be carried out at home.

It should be borne in mind that turf is considered less nutritious than other types of soil. In its pure form, it can be used for planting representatives of the cactus family.

How to prepare turf

The main component for the substrate is harvested in deciduous arrays. The best option is a layer of soil from under maple, linden or fruit trees. In areas where many willows and oaks grow, you should not prepare soil for planting indoor plants. The foliage of these crops contains many tannic components that adversely affect the development of such flowers.

It is best to harvest the substrate in forests and park areas. To do this, it is recommended to remove the top layer of the earth, the thickness of which is 2-5 centimeters. This layer mainly includes small fallen branches, grass residues, and dry leaves. Such a composition is the basis that can be used to prepare a nutritious soddy soil, perfect for planting home flowers.

To achieve the full maturation of the substrate for plants, you need to create special conditions. To do this, you need to fold the turf layer into piles. Their height should be up to 1.5 meters. It is best to lay turf soil in the autumn. After that, it needs to be watered with slurry and compacted. This helps to activate the fermentation processes and reduce the time of preparation of the substrate.

In winter, the soil should not be touched. At the same time, with the advent of heat, it needs to be poured again with a solution of mullein. To achieve a more uniform decomposition of foliage and small twigs, it is recommended to mix the future substrate 2-3 times during the summer. Subject to all the preparation rules, the substrate will be ready by next autumn.

Before use, the prepared soil is recommended to be processed using a screen. This will help get rid of lumps and undecomposed residues. As a result, the substrate is more homogeneous.

Site Application Methods

The main uses of turf land include the following:

1. Forcing vegetables and flowers. At the same time, it is recommended to apply top dressing to soddy soil. Since such soil retains moisture and useful elements well, it is excellent as a basis for actively growing crops. Such land itself is considered very fertile and unpretentious. This also has a positive effect on the forcing of plants.
2. Growing plants out of season. With the help of meadow turf land, you can create warm high beds. Sod, covered with a good layer of humus, retains moisture and heat. Thanks to this, plants can survive the winter.
3. Planting seedlings. This is considered the main purpose of purchased soddy soil. To do this, it is recommended to make a substrate with your own hands. Soil, made according to the correct technology, saturates the plants with nutrients and activates their growth.Also, homemade soil is safer for crops because it does not contain pathogenic bacteria.

Pros and cons

The main advantages of such a substrate include the following:

• high degree of fertility;
• moisture retention and beneficial elements;
• porous structure;
• long shelf life;
• low acidity.

Sod soil is also characterized by certain disadvantages:

• long harvest period;
• difficulties in self-production;
• lack of utility in its purest form.

Soddy soil is an excellent base for a substrate that can be used for various plants. It is important to properly prepare the soil.

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