Organic Matter In the Soil

Posted by Ena Clewes
December 7th, 2007
Filed in Soil and Fertilizer
Tags: Compost, manure, nutrients, organisms, Soil and Fertilizer

Organic matter is material in the soil that has several important roles:

1. acts like glue to hold the mineral particles together.
2. Is a food source for the minute( or micro) organisms that live in the soil.
3. Is a source of nutrients for the plants.
4. Strongly influences what color the soil will be.

Organic Matter and the mineral particles work together somewhat like mortar and bricks. The organic matter acts as the mortar or glue and causes particles to stick together in particular ways. A well- structured soil will be half solids and half pores filled with either air or water.

You can see how different amounts of organic matter affect the soil by simply digging down a few feet in your back yard. The first foot of soil is probably nearly black because it contains lots of organic matter and is also loosely compacted. This top soil should have a loose crumbly texture.

As you dig further into the ground, the soil becomes much heavier as the organic matter decreases and the structure becomes more massive and dense. The soil color noticeably lightens.

It is important to maintain the organic matter content in your soil.

This can be done by putting your manures, compost, or other sources of organic matter back into your garden each year. Mix these materials into your soil to ensure that they begin breaking down before you plant next year.