Soil Conditioning Explained: 4 Soil Conditioning Materials

Soil conditioning is the process of improving poor soil to promote the growth of healthy plants. Soil is mostly made up of clay, sand, and silt. The percentage of these and other components will affect the soil texture, which determines its water holding capacity and aeration levels. A soil structure is loamy—or healthy and fertile—if it has an optimal clay, sand, and silt balance. If not, you can add various soil conditioners such as microbes and peat moss to improve soil quality. Soil is the foundation for any source of plant life, be it in a large farm or a backyard vegetable garden. Consider these three benefits of soil conditioning: 1. __Soil nutrients__: Soil conditioning is important because it makes nutrients more available to plant roots, stimulating root growth and affecting the plant's appearance, taste, and lifespan. Soil amendments increase the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the storage of key plant nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. 2. __Soil structure__: Soil conditioners can also help loosen clay soils and improve aeration in soil compacted over time. 3. __Water retention__: Soil conditioners can also improve the water retention of sandy soils and adjust the [pH](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/essential-guide-to-soil-ph-guide) of alkaline or acidic soils. Composting is the act of combining organic materials to encourage healthy decomposition. To [make compost](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-compost), organic materials like food waste, grass clippings, newspapers, and coffee grounds are layered together to create the perfect environment for microbes, fungi, and other decomposing bacteria to break them down into an all-natural fertilizer. The composting process requires time, patience, and the right raw materials, and ultimately produces a natural product that can enhance the soil in your garden and [reduce the food waste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste-and-repurpose-scraps) in landfills. As a soil amendment that improves soil properties, compost is a kind of soil conditioner. Compost commonly refers to the food waste plant growers add to soil, but soil conditioner is a broader term encompassing the many different systems and kinds of organic matter that enhance all soil types. Properly composted materials make for excellent soil conditioners and are devoid of pathogens. When added regularly, compost greatly benefits overall soil health. You can employ many organic soil conditioners to correct soil pH, water retention levels, and more. Some soil amendments include: 1. __Leaf mulch and leaf mold__: The leaves from deciduous trees are a fantastic organic material to add to your soil. Leaves increase a soil's nutrients as they decompose and can aid in water retention. You can compost leaves to create mulch and insert it directly into your vegetable garden. You can also turn leaves into leaf mold by piling up leaves when they fall in the autumn and turning them a few times come spring before planting in the summer. 2. __Yard trimmings__: You can use grass clippings and shrub trimmings for soil conditioning. Collect trimmings from your yard and compost for six months, stirring and aerating regularly. When the internal temperatures reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat will kill off pathogens, and you can sprinkle this into your garden. 3. __Mulch and bark__: Mulch is made from shredded pine bark, making it an organic material that you can place atop the visible layer of soil in a garden. The mulch mimics the ground of a forest and stimulates growth. 4. __Inorganic materials__: Organic materials are best for a soil's holistic health, but you can also employ inorganic materials to remedy specific issues. Gypsum adds calcium, perlite increases porosity, and vermiculite improves water retention. For potted plants, add in an inch of your selected soil conditioning material, mixing it up with your hands. To condition the soil in your garden, rake in the soil conditioners, adding twenty-five percent (or a couple of inches) by volume. Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community - and the world - a better place. Many gardens and plots consist of soil without the organic matter needed for plants' nutrient uptake, so soil conditioning improves land's soil structure to stimulate plant growth.