How to ferment pine needles to make potting soil
Introduction: This article provides knowledge about how to ferment pine needles into potting soil and the methods of making potting soil with pine needles. Let's delve into the details.
Spring has come, the weather is warming up, ice and snow are melting, and many gardening enthusiasts like to take walks in the suburbs to enjoy the spring scenery. If you happen to come across a pine forest, you might as well collect some pine needle soil, which is a great treasure for growing flowers. It can make any plant thrive.
Why is pine needle soil so special?
Prevents soil compaction
Pine needle soil, as the name suggests, is the soil that results from pine needles falling on the ground and gradually decomposing through bacterial fermentation. The texture of pine needle soil is very light and loose, with good drainage. This unique texture can be mixed with other types of soil, usually in a ratio of 50% to 80% of the total soil volume. It prevents the soil from hardening and becoming compacted, increases soil softness, and provides a good growing environment for the roots.
Reduces pests
As pine needle soil is fermented from pine needles, it contains trace amounts of pine oil, which has a certain deterrent effect on pests. Using pine needle soil to grow flowers can reduce the likelihood of pest infestations.
Rich in nutrients
Pine needles contain some of the nutrients in pine trees, and pine needle soil fermented from pine needles is very rich in nutrients. The nutrient release is gentle and long-lasting, providing continuous nutrients for plants.
SLightly acidic
Pine needle soil is rich in humic acid and is slightly acidic. Most of the flower varieties on the market, such as kaffir lilies, jasmines, azaleas, and gardenias, are southern flowers that prefer slightly acidic soil environments. If planted in alkaline soil, they cannot grow and bloom normally. Using pine needle soil is very suitable.
Methods to obtain pine needle soil
Pine needle soil is available in flower markets or online gardening stores, where those who dislike麻烦 can purchase it directly. Of course, it can also be obtained from pine forests during outings. There are two methods to obtain pine needle soil:
Directly dig pine needle soil
The simplest method is to directly dig some pine needle soil from the pine forest. When digging, it's important to note that the top layer of pine needles on the ground has not fully decomposed, and using this soil can easily burn the roots of plants. We need to use our hands to remove the top layer of pine needles and take the decomposed soil below.
How to ferment pine needles to make potting soil
This soil has turned black or brown in color and will crumble into pieces when pinched with your fingers. You can dig it up.
The pine needle soil collected from the wild contains eggs and various bacteria, so it needs to be spread out on the ground and exposed to the sun for 5 to 7 days to kill the eggs and bacteria with ultraviolet light. Then, remove any stones and other impurities before using it for plants.
Using pine needles to decompose into soil
Besides directly digging pine needle soil, you can also collect some pine needles and decompose them into soil.
We find a woven bag, collect some pine needles from the pine forest, and put them in the bag. After returning home, spray the pine needle soil with water to make it more conducive to bacterial fermentation. Take a small amount of organic fertilizer, such as cow or sheep manure, orange peels, or soybean milk residue. Adding a little organic fertilizer to the pine needles can double the fermentation speed. Then tie the woven bag and place it in the sun for high-temperature fermentation.
During the fermentation process, open the bag every 2 to 3 days to check. If the soil becomes dry, spray water to keep it moist. After about 2 to 4 months, the pine needles will ferment into black or brown and can be easily crumbled with your hands, indicating that the pine needle soil is ready.
This article provides a comprehensive introduction to how to ferment pine needles into potting soil and the methods of making potting soil with pine needles, hoping to bring some knowledge about green plants to plant enthusiasts.