Essay On Compost

Vast numbers and kinds of organisms, mainly microorganisms, inhabit soil and depend on it for shelter, food, and water. Plants anchor themselves in soil, and from it they receive essential minerals and water. Terrestrial plants could not survive without soil, and because we depend on plants for our food, humans could not exist without soil either (Wiley, 2013).

Composting is important when we look at the future wellbeing of our planet and how it will affect the upcoming generations. According to epa.gov ,benefits of composting would be to reduce waste in landfills, and to transform that waste into a natural

The pH of soil is important for the absorption of nutrients into the plant. Of the 17 needed plant nutrients 14 of them are acquired through the soil. Acidity is needed to break down and dissolve these nutrients. The nutrients are able to dissolve into the soil faster when the acid is acting as a solute. Another way the pH affects the soil is by influencing microorganisms. The bacteria is crucial in the growth and development of the plant, the bacteria’s role is to break down and decompose organic matter in the soil. If the pH of the soil is too high the acid will slow down and eventually stop the microorganisms. Most plants ideal pH is between 6-7, slightly acidic. Many plants are outliers and thrive in pH such as carrots and corn, which can withstand pH as low as 5.5. If the pH of the soil is too high for the desired crop farmers can add material such as limestone, and wood ashes to raise the pH to the desired level. The pH of the soil can also be changed naturally through the leaching of calcium, magnesium and sodium by rainwater. Carbon dioxide from rotting organic matter can also increase the pH of the soil. Acids can also be created organically in the form of sulfuric and nitric

Loose soil from digging animals is easier for plants to grow in compared to the hard compacted soil found where there are no digging animals

Imagine you lived during the time period where poor farming techniques were created, and dust was being deposited or dropped into your lungs, forcing you to walk slowly down the steps of death. The phenomenon, the Dust Bowl, took place in the United States during the years around the 1930’s. It was an event that occurred in the United States, where the area it was taken place did not have moist soil, healthy crops, and a considerable amount of water. During this time, the soil was poor, meaning there was a small amount of nutrients in it. From this, it caused the seeds being planted to wilt, and die.. Compost helps the nutrients and moisture to stay within the soil, in order to allow the plants to not wither from being over watered or the lack of this liquid.

Look around you; do you think that we need soil in our everyday lives? Sure we do. Natural flowing water is filtered through the soil thus making it drinkable. We breathe the air that is produced by plants that grow in soil. Our clothes wouldn’t be made if the cotton plant had no soil to grow in.

Franklin D Roosevelt once said, “the history of every Nation is eventually written in the way in which it cares for its soil.” The United States began seeing sustainable management practices in farms, and healthier soil through this act. In 1982 through 2007, the United States soil erosion had declined by 43%” (Montanarella, 2015). Every year the United States loses about $400 billion dollars due to crop soil that is eroded. Soil is a limited resource and the largest resource for growing food, accommodating diverse ecosystems, and providing food resources. Therefore laws, acts, and provisions are necessary to protect this natural resource.

The microbes found in soil go hand in hand with the microbes found in our bodies, especially the gut microbiome. Soil is used to grow various plants and crops which we then ingest. As stated in Healthy Soil Microbes, Healthy People, we have completely destroyed soil microbes by overusing fertilizers and pesticides just like how we have destroyed our gut microbes by ingesting processed foods and large amounts of antibiotics. Soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, form symbiotic relationships with plant roots to help provide the plant with many nutrients needed to survive. In order to restore and improve the soil once again, we need to reintroduce bacteria and fungi that are capable of repairing the damage. Through recent technological advances, the soil microbiome was genetically sequenced. This allows farmers and other scientists to understand which microorganisms are

Today, in the United States, farmers and ranchers produce a wide variety of commodities for food, fuel, and fiber in response to markets. These farmers understand and recognize the significance of managing their soil as well as their plant productivity. America’s farmers are true professionals because crop production is a very complex business.

Soil is the word that literally holds this world together. Without the necessity of soil, we probably wouldn’t even be where we are today. It is the main support system for our earth because it holds the roots to the ground, keeping our ground in tact. When we can’t control what happens in nature, like the Dust Bowl, we may be hit with unexpected dangers, but when it comes to things we can control we need to act right away. In the 1930’s, with little to no rainfall, weak soil and no advanced technology the people in the great plains were headed for a major catastrophe. They had no control over the way their land was moving, so it just kept going and eventually ended up to be known around the world as the Dust Bowl. If they would have had the

If you are having trouble with growing anything in the soil that your yard has to offer yet you are determined to have that garden that you have always wanted, then perhaps you should take a look at raised bed gardening. Raised bed gardening is great because you do not have to worry about what you can and cannot grow in your soil. In fact, you don't have to worry about your soil at all because you will not need it at all to make your new garden a success. The soil you will be using for your raised bed garden will instead be soil that you will purchase. However, before we get to planting all of the veggies and flowers that you have been dreaming of, we first need to take a look at how your new garden will come to fruition.

Households can recycle and reduce their amount of waste by taking certain biodegradable materials and start a compost bin. It is here that the common wastes such as food scraps, coffee grounds or anything that has a high organic matter can be put together and let nature take its course. “Using composts in agriculture to minimize organic wastes and to reduce the addition of fertilizers and fungicides in crop production is highly effective”. (Stan, Virsta, Dusa, Glavan, 2009 pg 1) So the compost that is produced can be used to help fertilize the ground in which crops even flowers are grown cutting down on pesticides and fertilizers. The organic component, in materials, can be used in compost recycling to help to promote a healthy soil. By having a healthier soil this provides a healthier plant. This

When assembling all roles of soil, one is able to see that soil plays a vital part of the natural environment. It is just as important as plants, and animals. It influences the distribution of plant species and provides a habitat for a wide range of organisms.

With the help of my mother and father, I constructed a raised-bed vegetable garden, which we completed the third week of October. We placed it next to our house so that the garden would be hit with plenty of sunlight. We used four pieces of plywood and nailed them to make a rectangular shaped container, the box was four feet wide, eight feet long, and a little less than twenty inches tall. We filled the box with ten inches of soil and later planted our vegetables we bought at Home Depot. We bought leeks, Chinese cabbage, Cauliflower, Savoy cabbage, and Mustard greens. I decided to start a garden because I’ve always had an interest in food and where it comes from.

Gardening is a beneficial aspect of anyone’s day to day life. It’s something that is enjoyable for the elderly, young children, single people, and married couples. Gardening is also a way to bring the family together. Whether the garden is for aesthetic or utilitarian purposes, the hard work put into the garden is worthwhile. Gardens can provide financial relief, a healthier diet, and a healthier lifestyle. Gardening could also be a great life lesson that is carried and passed on through generations.