Healthy Soil
All of the listed materials are useful amendments. Their availability depends on where you live.
1. Redwood Products. Can be granular or fibrous. Works in well to the soil and is long lasting. Low salinity. Use in soil or containers. Low in nitrogen and poor in nutrient holding.
2. Bark. Is easy to mix into the soil. Low in salinity and very long lasting. This is a dense material that can be used in garden soil, container planting and also for orchids. Poor nitrogen and nutrient holding.
3. Fir Sawdust. This granular material works into the soil well and lasts a long time. Low salinity .Great for soil and containers. Also low in nitrogen and nutrient holding capability.
4. Sphagnum Peat Moss. Fibrous or powdery and is hard to wet. Cannot be used dry. Low in salinity. Once it is wet it retains water better than any other amendment. It is best in container mixes and good for the garden soil. Holds nutrients very good and does not any added nitrogen.
5. Hypnum Peat Moss. It has a fibrous texture which is more variable than peat moss. Contains more nitrogen and is less expensive than peat moss. Best uses are in containers and fern baskets and in the soil. High in nitrogen and nutrient holding.
6. Sedge Peat. Has a variable fibrous texture. May be higher in salinity and cheaper than Sphagnum. Great for use in soil in a rainy climate. Good nitrogen and nutrient holding.
7. Oak Leaf Mold. This mix may contain leaves and twigs. Adds to soil fertility in a container mix. It is useful as a seed starter mix. Contains ample nitrogen and other useful nutrients.
8. Dairy Manure. This amendment is moderately saline and must thoroughly decomposed. Has a strong odor. Great as a conditioner in sandy soils and as a mulch. This low grade fertilizer needs no additional nitrogen and holds nutrients well. May be free for the hauling in some areas.
9. Steer Manure. This highly saline product may be sold in trade-name packages. Has a strong odor. Great as a conditioner in sandy soils and as a mulch. This low grade fertilizer needs no additional nitrogen and holds nutrients well.
10. Stable Bedding. This product may be free from a commercial stable and must be well composted. This is a mixture of straw, sawdust, chips and animal waste. Good for potting mix, mulch and soil conditioner. Good in nitrogen and fair in Nutrient holding.
11. Compost. Variable depending what is added to it. Must be well rotted. Used in potting mixes and as a soil conditioner. Excellent source of nitrogen and a good nutrient holder.
12. Mushroom Compost. Contains mostly composted horse manure. May be obtained free near mushroom grower. Must be well rotted. Moderate salinity. Good for garden soil conditioner. High in nitrogen and poor in nutrient holding.
13. Almond Hulls. Needs to compost first because big chunks decompose slowly. Available only where almonds are processed. Low salinity. Garden soil conditioner. High in nitrogen and potassium (potash), but poor in nutrient holding.
14. Rice Hulls. Very cheap where available. Easy to mix into garden soil. Loses much in volume when rotted. High in potassium. Very low in nitrogen and poor nutrient holding.
15. Cocoa Bean Hulls. Has a good scent and is a low grade fertilizer and amendment to your garden soil. Contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in low amounts. Good nutrient holding.