Many times when we talk about soil fertility, whether it is forests or orchards, we talk about humus. However, many people do not know what is humus nor what importance does it have for soil and plants. Humus is nothing more than an organic compost that forms naturally in any type of soil in its original state. It is found in very small amounts but is extremely nutritious.
In this article we are going to tell you what humus is, what its characteristics are and how important it is for plants and soil.
What is humus
Humus is an organic fertilizer that occurs naturally in any type of soil in its natural state. It is very small in quantity and rich in nutrients. For example, in the forest, the humus content on land is 5%, while the humus content on the beach is only 1%.
It differs from compost and organic compost because it is in a more advanced decomposition process under the action of fungi and bacteria: it has a black color due to its high carbon content. When humus decomposes, provides nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium to the soil and plants. It is the most nutritious organic decomposition process in the world.
One of the easiest ways to apply humus to the soil is earthworms, which you can collect from your own garden. These and the bacterial excrement produce a process of organic decomposition and accelerate the formation of vegetal humus.
Benefits of humus for the earth
Let's see what are the benefits that humus has when it is present in the earth:
- Helps retain water and fix it. It is convenient for many soils to be able to retain water if you want to have cultivated plants. A soil with a good amount of one can help to filter rainwater well so that it does not accumulate and end up puddling. Therefore, in the field of agriculture and gardening it is interesting that the soils are rich in humus.
- It usually gives a consistency to the soils depending on the type. For example, on sandy soils it serves to compact the ground. On the other hand, in more clay soils it has a dispersal effect.
- Thanks to the existence of this compound, many plants can find it easier to incorporate nutrients through the roots.
- It can regulate plant nutrition and make a field flourish more easily.
- It makes the land more fertile and therefore, it becomes richer in plants.
- If you use mineral fertilizers both in common gardening and agriculture, the existence of humus in the land helps the assimilation of these fertilizers.
Earthworm humus
Earthworms are a very important part of the soil fertility process. Few people know the benefits of these because they not only swallow the organic matter found, but they also have many other functions. They return organic matter in a completely decomposed form and help dilute certain minerals and turn them into nutrient-rich organic soil that can be absorbed by plants. What's more, they mix certain plant substances with other substances located in deeper areas of the subsoil, which favors the balance between clay and water.
The result of this process is a soil with a massive and spongy structure, which favors aeration and water retention. One of the most important characteristics of earthworms and the main reason for the presence of so many nutrients in humus is its excrement, because thanks to them the humus contains much more nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium than the earth.
Benefits of worm castings
The earthworm humus is considered one of the best substrates indicated for the cultivation of vegetables, aromatic plants and fruit crops. Let's see what are the benefits that can be obtained from using worm castings:
- Facilitates the development of plants and the absorption of general nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and others, due to its high microbial load.
- It is highly recommended for those plants that need a transplant since it prevents diseases and avoids injuries. It also helps to facilitate rooting. For those plants that need a little more water, it helps prevent dehydration.
- The humus gives vigor to the plants thanks to the fact that it helps in the growth and makes that the plants can bear larger and more colorful fruits.
- Protects from pathogens
- It enhances the biological activity that is beneficial for the soil.
- It is a fertilizer suitable for organic farming since it is completely developed by natural components and does not pollute the soil. A
- It can be used both in seedbeds, on substrates.
- Contributes to the regulation of soil pH.
- It does not produce toxicity, quite the opposite.
How to make homemade worm castings
The process of turning organic matter into natural compost is called worm compost and produces worm compost, also known as worm compost. This process is carried out in an earthworm composting machine with different trays stacked one on top of the other with holes through which the worms pass when digesting all the food that we store in them. If you are interested in making earthworm compost at home, you can make your own earthworm compost at any time, here we teach you everything about earthworm compost.
- Wash a container and poke a few holes in the lid so that the worms have enough oxygen.
- Cut the newspaper into strips and place a layer in strips on the surface of the container.. This paper will allow the container to be better ventilated.
- You should put a thick layer of loose soil even if there is moisture left. This layer should be placed on top of the newspaper that is already placed in the container.
- Apply organic food scraps such as cut fruit and vegetable scraps.
- Place the worms inside the container so they can make the humus.
- It is important to ensure that the container is ported in a place where it will not receive ventilation or excessive changes in temperature.
- It is important to feed the worms more organic waste every so often. In just 15 days you can have your first compound ready to place on your land.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about what humus is and its characteristics.