The cliché, “Good plants and vegetables begin with good soil,” is very true. Ajarn Tue, a lecturer at the Faculty of Science at Nakhon Rajabhat University, visited the area when we first saw the vegetable plot and gave us advice on how to thoroughly prepare the soil, especially for leafy vegetables and lettuce, which not only has big, plump trees and crispy, appetising leaves but are also vigorous and free from disease and pests. Vegetable soil is crucial because it provides nutrients for plant growth as well as a home for plant roots. Good potting soil is crumbly, airy, and well-draining. receive sufficient nutrients There is a good deal of organic material. Plants are not harmed by insects or animals since poor soil for cultivation causes vegetable plants to lack water and nutrients until they are unable to continue producing high-quality output. The first thing that needs to be learnt and accomplished is improving the soil.
Ajarn Tue, Lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Nakhon Rajabhat University.
Knowing the Soil
According to the soil’s texture, there are three different types of soil: clay, loam, and sandy soil.
- The clay has a fine-grained texture. It adheres firmly and absorbs water efficiently. resulting in poor drainage having a long-term harmful impact on plant roots.
- Soil that is loamy and ideal for growing vegetables. due to the suitable and appropriate ratio of clay and sand. Fertile soil has a moderate water absorption rate.
- The texture of sandy soil is coarse. It doesn’t stick since a lot of sand has been mixed in. water absorption problems and poor fertility.
Different soil types have varying strengths and water-holding capacities. Consider the type of soil our soil is and it’s colour first, as these factors can influence how fertile, well-drained, and rich in organic matter the soil is. Grey soil denotes an oxygen-deficient soil condition, while dotted dirt suggests waterlogged and dry circumstances for some time. Dark brown or black soil indicates elements with accumulated organic matter. As a result, the soil will become dotty and the iron content will vary. If the local soil is unsuitable The first step in improving soil is to add easily available, inexpensive soil amendments that include plant-friendly nutrients.
Clay and compacted: To make the soil loose, add organic material like manure, compost, rice husks, dry leaves, and ash. The soil is easily penetrable by plant roots and is well drained and aerated, boosting fertility.
Sandy soils need to be amended with organic matter that is good at holding water. Manure, compost or potting soil at a rate of 1-2 kg, and coconut coir are the most widely utilised ingredients in soil development. To improve the soil’s ability to absorb water, combine coarse sand, rice husk ash, rice husk soil, sawdust, dry coconut husks, and dry leaves. Let the mixture ferment for 15 days.
The majority of them are built of clay and the soil in metropolitan areas is acidic. The pH of the soil determines how long it will take to amend it so that it is suitable for growing vegetables. It will take about a month to enhance the soil if the pH is 4-5, compared to about two to three months if the pH is 3-4.
A concentrated natural mineral product called pH11+, an organic soil conditioner from TPI provides an immediate result and reduces the amount of time needed to adapt the soil. More than 85% of calcium and magnesium carbonate will help to balance the soil’s acidity and lessen stored pollutants, making it more conducive to plant growth. Additionally, it aids in preventing the pathogen buildup that leads to plant disease.
Observing the soil’s colour is advised when preparing the soil for vegetable growing. When you delve deeper, if it is yellow, orange, or red, it is acidic. Because the mineral Rosasite, which contains a lot of iron and sulphur, is widely spread.
The first step in managing soils with a pH of 3–4 is to add dolomite, such as lime, at a rate of 1-1.5 kg/m2 (2000 kg per rai), 2 kg of raw rice husks per square metre, and 2-3 kg of manure per square metre. Then, mix it all together and top it with microorganism-fermented banana shoots. Alternatively, water with concentrated organic fertiliser comprising humic at a rate of 5 ml per 10 litres of water, or photosynthetic microorganisms at a rate of 20 millilitres per 10 litres of water. For two to three months, compost the soil. During the fermentation process, cover the soil with straw or a shade net and water it twice daily. During fermentation, water twice daily, and for about 30 days, shovel the dirt every 15 days. Fermentation causes the soil to expand and get darker.
The breakdown of organic waste yields an intense organic fertiliser that is used to balance the soil, improve its ability to retain water, and make it ideal for plant development. Additionally, it improves the number of nutrients and good bacteria in the soil. According to the directions, growers can apply concentrated organic fertiliser combined with water. When preparing the soil, irrigate the ground or only the surrounding area of the shrub.
If the soil has a pH of 4-5, it is recommended to use 1 kilogramme of granular organic fertiliser per square metre, 1 kg of raw rice husks per square metre, and a mixture of photosynthetic bacteria or banana shoot microbial fermentation at a rate of 20 ml per 10 litres of water to enhance the soil. Cover the soil with straw or a shade net while the ferment is fermenting, and water it twice daily and once every seven days. It requires around 30 days. The ground will expand.
The airy and friable soil will benefit from the use of TPI Organic Fertilizer. Additionally, it makes the land more fertile. When combined with liquid organic fertilisers, it helps the soil retain nutrients and absorb more water, causing vegetables to grow healthily and strongly and making them harder for pests and diseases to kill.
Advice: To speed up the decomposition of organic waste during soil fermentation, Trichoderma should be watered at a rate of 20 grams per 10 litres of water every 15 days. Additionally, it aids in the eradication of many soil diseases.
Using bagged dirt will improve the soil, resulting in fruitful vegetable growth.
For people who do not have land in their home area but want to plant some vegetables, you can use the soil mixed in the bag which is commonly sold at plant stores. To improve the ratio, it is advised to re-mix the soil. Similar to composting, soil cooking is simple. Combine dry coconut husks, 1 part manure, and soil from a bag. To moisten, combine water with water or bio-fermented water. Scoop the dirt into an air-ventilated bag or sack. If the soil is not too hot, you may use it to grow vegetables after 15 days in the shade or try mixing bag soil with manure, dry leaves, or leftover household food like apple pits, eggshells, or coffee beans, along with the right quantity of water for microbial fermentation. Once the dirt has been well incorporated, irrigate it to maintain moisture. Check that the dirt is clumped and not broken. When you squeeze it and no water comes out, you may use it. Once the dirt is scooped into bags or sacks with air holes, it may be used to grow plants. If the soil is too hot, leave it in the shade.
People who don’t have a lot of planting space can grow vegetables in pots with composted soil. The dirt can also be composted in the backyard. Mix two parts of loamy soil and one part each of rice husk, coconut coir, and manure into the ground soil. It may be used to produce vegetables as well when moistened with bio-fermented water and then fermented for about 15 days in the shade.
Advice: There are several formulae for soil mixes. However, it should be re-mixed with easily accessible organic matter as a component. Growers can gather soil samples to assess fertility, pH, and physical features to guidelines for modifying the soil to fit the intended vegetable crops if they have a lot of areas and wish to construct a significant home vegetable garden.
Vegetables may be grown more effectively using techniques to enhance the soil. Although the majority of gardeners believe that all types of soil can support the growth of vegetables, this is untrue. Plants will grow better if the soil is improved to its ideal condition before planting. Infestations by insects and plant diseases are still challenging.
Article: Wirachaya
Pictures: Sitthisak Namkam and Aanopong Chiasookkasem
Information: Lecturer Kessirin Sangmanee, Phranakhon Rajabhat University
Place: KSB Community Vegetable Garden
Information from : https://www.baanlaesuan.com/240888/garden-farm/farm-guru/tpi_guru