Humus is an organic fertilizer, but not just any: it emerges naturally in any type of soil in its natural state, but in very small and extremely nutritious quantities. In a forest, for example, the amount of humus in the earth is 5%, while in beach sand it is barely 1%.
It differs from compost and organic fertilizer because it is in a more advanced decomposition process due to the action of fungi and bacteria: it is blackish in color, due to the large amount of carbon it contains. As it decomposes, humus contributes nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium to the soil and plants. It is, let’s put it that way, the most nutritious organic decomposition process for the earth.
One of the easiest ways to get humus to apply to your soil is from worms, which you can collect from your own garden. The excrement of these and the bacteria will generate an organic decomposition process that will accelerate the formation of humus for your plants.
The benefits of humus for your land:
It helps both to retain water and to filter it, depending on the needs of the soil.
It gives a correct consistency to the soils according to its type. It compacts on sandy soils, while on clayey soils it has a dispersing effect.
Facilitates the uptake of nutrients by the rhizosphere.
Regulates plant nutrition.
Provides nitrogenous products to degraded soil.
It makes the land more fertile.
Improves the assimilation of mineral fertilizers.
How to make a worm humus?
(Preparations)
Leave the soil that you are going to use soaking for at least a day.
Get remains of animal or vegetable food.
Get newsprint.
Get a container with its lid (the larger, the more humus you will generate); It can be made of plastic, wood or rubber.
Find worms in your garden; Just dig around in the dirt to find a few, or buy some California red worms, they’re easy to come by.
App
Wash your container and poke some holes in the lid so the worms can breathe.
Cut the newspaper into strips and place a layer of strips on the surface of your container; shredded paper will allow the container to ventilate better.
Put a thick layer of loose but moist soil on top of the newspaper already placed in the container.
Apply the remains of food.
Place the worms inside the container so that they begin to make the humus.
Make sure that your container is placed in a place where it does not receive changes in temperature or ventilation.
Every so often feed your worms with more organic waste so that they continue to generate humus. In 15 days you will have your first compound ready to place it on your land.
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