What is "Good Soil?"
Most people believe that soil is rock. SOIL IS NOT ROCK!Also, most people believe good soil is soil that has no weeds or earthworms. However, that is not the case. In order to know if you have good soil, you first need to know what is soil.
Soil is a substance made up of broken down rock materials which include the following componments:
(1) Minerals such as: Magnesium, Calcium, Nitrogen, Phosphersus and Potassium.(N.P.K.)
(2) Organic Matter- Living or Alive- Living Things or Formally Living Things eg. Roots, leaves, grass, earthworms, insects, micro-organisms and fungus.
roots. SEE IMAGE AT
lynch-soy-8213-800x600.jpg (800×600) (soils.org)
Leaves. SEE IMAGE AT
Grass. SEE IMAGE AT
image.axd (640×427) (lawnweedexpert.co.uk)
Earthworms. SEE IMAGE AT
earthworm.jpg (2560×1536) (grabngrowsoil.com)
Insects. SEE IMAGE AT
PILL-BUGS-FORAGING-1-2.jpg (1280×854) (growingspaces.com)
Micro-organisms. SEE IMAGE AT
PILL-BUGS-FORAGING-1-2.jpg (1280×854) (growingspaces.com)
Fungus. SEE IMAGE AT
white-mold-soil.jpg (500×334) (bustlingnest.com)
(3)Soil Water- Get from rain due to it being natural from the clouds. Think of the rain as a weather helper automic waterer.
Rain. SEE IMAGE AT
(4) Soil air or pores
Soil air or pores. SEE IMAGE AT
soil-porosity1.jpg (568×316) (orthman.com)
Now we know what soil is made up of, we know to buy that type of soil. However, it is ver expensive and if you can't afford it, you'll look for a cheaper option. This option is to make your own soil. The process is very simple and but requires great patience and commitment.
Firstly, you will need a sample of dirst in a clear disposable cup. Next, gather dry leaves as these leaves are a sign that they will soon rot. Whwn these leaves rot, the soil feeds on its nutrients causing it to have a dark colour. This dark colour colour is called humus. After you have completed this process, you will check to assure yourself you have all the components that the soil is made up of and then, you have completed the process of "creating" good soil.
Soil particles consist of 3 sizes: sand, silt and clay. Sand has large grains and don't retain water, clay is the finest material that absorbs water and silt is in between. A mixture of all is called LOAM.
How to Make an Automatic Watering Vertical Planter
HOW THE AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEM WORKS
By placing 1 end of the blue string in water and allowing it to soak, overtime, the water travels throughout the string and after 5 minutes, the other side will feel wet and cold. When this has happened, the automatic watering system is techically complete.
There are several different types of HOMEMADE vertical planters. However, this planter (MOST LIKELY) uses the most recycable materials.
Materials needed: (1) Plastic bottles
(2) Soil OR dirt with already rooted leaves.
(3) Clear PVC flexible tube.
(4) Blue string
(5) PVC pipe
(6) Bucket, Stones, Wood,Nails
(7) Knife/Saw/Scissors
(8) Seedlings
(9) Square steel bars