Chernozem is a rich, fertile soil. No mineral and organic fertilizers can replace the natural perfection of chernozem, because it is formed in nature over several thousand years. It is also impossible to create artificial chernozem, as its formation is influenced by hundreds of natural factors.
Characteristics of chernozem
Chernozem soils are characterized by a rich content of humus (especially in the upper layers), nutrients, granular or lumpy structure, high (up to 70%) calcium content, a huge number of microorganisms useful for plants and excellent water-air qualities. Chernozem contains useful humic acids (a mixture of organic compounds) – the most valuable fraction of humus, easily absorbed by the roots of plants.
Picking up the black soil and slightly squeezing it, you will see a bold black print on your palms. This is the first sign of the fertility of the land with a high content of humus. Chernozem does not sinter under the influence of the sun and moisture, as well as clay soils, can not boast of such a porous structure as sand. Nevertheless, the root system of plants feels in soils rich in humus, more than free and abundantly provided with oxygen and nutrients.
Use of chernozem
Many tons of chernozem are imported to their dacha plots, counting: once delivered – good harvests are provided for many years to come. Alas!.. it’s not. Please note that after 2-3 years, even very fertile soil becomes poorer and needs fertilizers. Some of the nutrients are washed out by water, some are absorbed by the roots of plants, and the microorganisms that live in the soil brought from the soil, being in a foreign environment, partially die. Consequently, the soil becomes scarce, and the yield becomes lower every year.
In addition, keep in mind that the decrease in soil fertility is significantly affected by the absence of plants with a strong root system on the site. After all, the developed roots of large trees and shrubs loosen the soil, thereby providing an influx of oxygen. And if you grow mainly small garden plants, then over time the soil will turn into a hard, heavy substrate and your green pets will feel extremely uncomfortable, with all the consequences that follow.
Therefore, it is better to use chernozem where it is planned to plant large plants (trees, tall shrubs), and on beds and under plants with an underdeveloped root system, it is better to add it in small quantities to improve the physiological properties of the soil. Usually garden land for planting vegetables is diluted with chernozem in a ratio of 3:1.
Do I need to fertilize chernozem
Typical chernozem with normal acidity does not need deoxidation. As necessary, acid fertilizers can be added to them: potassium sulfate, nitrate (except sodium), ammonium sulfate, and others. And the rest of the chernozem, like other types of soil, needs the usual standard additives: compost, manure, organic and mineral fertilizers. It is useful to sow green manure on the site once every 5-6 years (the plants are grown as an organic fertilizer with subsequent application to the soil).
Types of chernozems
Chernozem is deservedly called the standard of soil, since it mainly consists of humus, which is formed naturally during the rotting of plant and animal residues. Depending on the territorial occurrence of fertile soils, their composition changes markedly. I will not describe the chemical properties of each type of chernozem. I will only note that chernozems differ in the capacity of the humus layer on the:
- heavy-duty, where humus lies at a depth of 1.2-1.5 m (3.9-4.9 feet);
- powerful, humus depth from 0.7 to 1.2 m (2.3-3.9 feet);
- medium-and low-power with a depth of the humus layer from 25 cm to 0.7 m (0.8-2.3 feet).
Nuances of chernozem
Soils with a high humus content are ideal for all types of plants. Even a small addition of chernozem (1: 10) to depleted land can improve and enrich it. There are two more small nuances of proper handling of chernozem:
- try not to dig the soil with a shovel, from this it is compacted and becomes hard, it is better to use a fork for digging;
- plant earthworms on your plot, they loosen the ground and produce a unique natural fertilizer-vermicompost-which is much more valuable than humus, bird droppings and manure.
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