As an organic farmer, your biggest priority is to nurture healthy plants with a high yield while using organic solutions. You need to provide adequate nutrients to your plants while keeping diseases and pests at bay and managing challenges with the soil in your area. One of the best organic solutions for your garden is shell grit.
Shell grit refers to coarsely ground oyster shells. It is rich in calcium; therefore, mixing it in the soil or sprinkling it on your garden has the following benefits.
Resolve soil compaction issues
Soil compaction increases soil strength and prevents roots from penetrating the subsoil. Restricted root exploration hampers root growth and decreases the ability of plants to uptake water and minerals. Additionally, compacted soil has fewer spaces between the particles, and this reduces the space available for air and water. This problem can affect soil quality and minimise plant yield.
Oyster shell grit can help resolve soil compaction issues in the soil. When mixed into the soil, the shells loosen the soil particles and prevents them from compacting. The coarse texture of the shells also prevents compaction. As a result, water and air can freely move through and around the soil, and this helps improve plant growth. Furthermore, looser soil allows root penetration and development, and this improves nutrient intake and boosts plant yield.
Increase the pH of acidic soil
Optimal soil pH is crucial in promoting plant growth and high yield. The correct soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.5. Anything below this can cause issues such as calcium and magnesium deficiency, aluminium toxicity and low levels of essential nutrients. Most plants do well in soils with optimal pH; therefore, if your soil is acidic, you need to increase its pH to the recommended levels.
One of the natural ways of regulating soil pH is adding calcium materials, in a process known as liming. Oyster shell grit is rich in calcium, and when added to acidic soils, it reacts as a base and neutralises the acidity. Grit creates optimal conditions for most plants to thrive. It also improves the intake of nitrates, which make proteins for plant growth.
Deter garden pests
Pests are a nuisance that every farmer has to contend with. When growing leafy vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, lettuce and kale, you have to battle with snails and slugs which feed on the leaves. Insects and animals can also cause extensive damage to plants. As an organic farmer, you need organic pest-deterrent products to keep the pesky creatures away from your garden.
Shell grit consists of broken or ground shells. The product is coarse, and it can also have sharp ends depending on the grinding process. The texture of the product makes it a perfect deterrent for pests such as snails and slugs. When sprinkled on the ground around your plants, the coarse grit hurts the pests and deters them from feeding on your plants. It can also act as a barrier against soft-bodied pests that access plants from the ground.
Provide vital nutrients to plants
Plants require nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and magnesium to thrive. Nutrient deficiency can hinder growth and reduce plant yield. For example, calcium deficiency in plants such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants can cause blossom end rot. This condition causes dark, rotted sores on the vegetables.
Oyster shell grit provides vital nutrients for plant growth. This product is rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium and microelements. Calcium and magnesium promote the formation of cell walls and cell membranes, hence increasing the growth of new roots and shoots and facilitating photosynthesis. A deficiency of these nutrients not only causes stunted growth but also affects plant yield.
The growth and yield of your plants heavily depend on your ability to create proper conditions. Shell grit improves soil structure and pH, deters pests and provides essential nutrients for plant growth. Visit your local landscaping store for a supply of calcium shell grit for farm use.