Soil and types. Benefits of Compost

Organic soil has its own ecosystem. It is composed of organic material, minerals and a variety of organisms that help to compost and keep the soil in balance. Organic soils are formed by the decay of plant matter. The higher the quality of the soil, the better it is for growing plants. The richer the organic soil, the darker the color will be. Organic soil contains 20 percent or higher organic matter. There are two basic types of organic soil.

Peat

Peat soil contains more than 65 percent organic matter. Peat is a rich organic soil that is created from accumulations of plant materials in bogs and other poorly drained areas. The decayed plant material determines the type of peat. Hypnaceous moss consists of decomposed hyrum, polytrichum and other mosses in the hypnaceous family. It decomposes rapidly and is the most common type of peat found in the United States, .Reed and sledge peat comes from decomposed rushes, coarse grasses, sedges, reeds and other grassy type plants. Humus or muck consists of finely divided plant materials decomposed with silt and clay particles.Sphagnum moss is the best-suited peat for growing. This type of peat is found in Germany, Canada and Ireland.


Good for rased bed soil mix 1/3 sphagnum moss, 1/3 compost, 1/3 vermiculite mix, plus add 10% of the mix lava rock , sand diatomaceous earth, worm castings organic fertilizers

Good for potting 60% Compost (compost, humate, coconut fiber, coir, earthworm castings, coffee grounds, etc.)30% Rock (lava sand, natural diatomaceous earth (DE), zeolite, granite, etc.)10% Sugar (corn meal, dry molasses, wheat meal, etc.)