The soil is not a homogeneous structure. It consists of several soil-forming components. But the greatest difference is observed when you look at the soil in cross-section. The soil layers in the section are represented by different horizons.
What is a soil horizon? From a genetic point of view, the soil horizon is a certain layer, distinguished by its own color, density, structure and other qualities.
The horizons are located one above the other parallel to the soil surface and together make up the soil profile. The formation of soil horizons takes many years. The number of soil horizons, depending on the classification system, is 15-16 pieces.
Soil performs very important functions for plants. In fact, she is theirs digestive system— many soil microorganisms process organic and mineral substances, preparing them for plants. Plants themselves cannot perform such functions.
Plant roots receive water and oxygen through the soil. Soil keeps plants upright and protects their roots from pests and unfavorable climate conditions.
Of greatest interest is the top fertile layer of soil, also known as the upper soil horizon.
Topsoil is a complex of upper soil horizons that provide fertility. It consists of several horizons.
These are various remains of animal and plant origin: grass, leaves, fungi, insects and other dead small organisms. Creates shelter for seeds and pre-root parts of plants.
This soil layer has a depth of up to twenty centimeters. Contains organic matter processed by insects and worms and particles of uneaten plants and animal organisms. This is the most valuable nutrient layer for plants.
Mineral layer
Source of minerals for plants. This layer is formed throughout for long years and contains mineral elements remaining in the process of complex long-term transformations of organic and inorganic matter. Contains dissolved gases, water, nitrogen, carbon and other essential components necessary for plants.
Humus layer
In this layer, biosynthesis processes from organic waste also occur, but due to specific conditions, these processes take place differently - not like in upper layers. As a result of biosynthesis, flammable gases are formed in the humus layer, which are a source of energy and heat.
Subsoil layer
Consists of clay. Regulates the processes of exchange of moisture and gases between surface and deep soil layers.
Natural resources and their isolated fragments as objects of rights have long been the subject of legal regulation, but not always qualitative certainty the relevant legal concepts are sufficient to ensure that regulation is carried out with the required efficiency. Such “legal insufficiency” is not characteristic of some secondary and secondary aspects, but of the most fundamental, initial provisions. In this regard, it would be appropriate to note that the long-awaited Land Code of the Russian Federation of October 25, 2001, in defining the basic concept of objects of land relations, turned out to be extremely laconic, establishing in Article 6 only that the objects of land relations are:
1) land as a natural object and natural resource;
2) land plots;
3) parts of land plots.
At the same time, only land plot, which is understood as a part of the earth’s surface (including the soil layer), the boundaries of which are described and certified in in the prescribed manner. But such a construction of a definition can hardly be considered successful: one unknown (a plot of land) is defined as a part of another unknown (the surface of the earth), and the latter includes a third unknown (the soil layer). Not only are they violated in this way logical rules definitions, but also, most importantly, the actual state of affairs is presented in a deformed form. Unfortunately, the current land legislation turned out to be impervious to the fact that not only in everyday life, but also in the language of law, there are the words “land” and “soil”, which refer to the same natural resource, but characterize it from different aspects. Concerning land, That this concept“lucky” to a much greater extent than soil. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, land and other natural resources are used and protected in Russian Federation as the basis for the life and activities of the peoples living in the corresponding territory (Article 9 of Chapter 1 “Fundamentals of the Constitutional System”). In Chapter 2 of the Constitution, “Rights and freedoms of man and citizen,” the legislator again mentions land rights. Such attention to land in the Basic Law of the country is, of course, largely due to the urgency that the land issue has acquired in the course of recent socio-economic reforms. Developing these constitutional provisions, the Land Code (clause 1 of Article 1) speaks of land as a natural object protected as the most important component of nature, a natural resource used as a means of production in agriculture and forestry and the basis for the implementation of economic and other activities on the territory of the Russian Federation, and at the same time as about real estate, about the object of ownership and other rights to land. In relation to soil the legislator prefers not to speak out definitively. This is all the more strange since it is the soil that is the first and real value of the land in the above understanding of the latter. According to science, soil is a surface film one and a half to two meters thick with a radius of the globe of 6,000 kilometers, but in this vanishingly thin shell the potential is concentrated, allowing a person to obtain about 99% of food, more than 95% of the gene pool of the planet is concentrated in it - plants and animals. There are only 9% of soils suitable for farming in the world. In Russia, chernozem occupies only 7% of the territory, but 80% of agricultural products are obtained from it. At the same time, in Russia, as well as throughout the world, there is a process of loss of fertile soils, which experts call “a silent crisis of the planet.” Every year, Russian arable land loses more than 1.5 billion tons of fertile layer, the increase in eroded areas reaches 1.5 billion hectares, the growth of ravines is 80 - 100 thousand hectares, every third hectare of arable land and pastures is eroded . It would seem that these data could already stimulate the legislator to develop a normative understanding soil, however, this has not yet happened. Even in the “core” Law of July 16, 1998 No. 101-FZ “On state regulation of ensuring the fertility of agricultural lands,” the concept of “soil” is not among the basic concepts and is used only as a complete synonym for “agricultural land.” In general, it is most difficult to define the things and phenomena that constitute the material and spiritual basis of the existence of man and humanity. The task of defining the concept “soil” is no exception. Even soil scientists approach the task of characterizing soil completely in various ways using different starting points: from structural-quality and quantitative analytical parameters to emotional and poetic assessments .
The initiative taken in 2001 by a number of deputies (Greshevnikova A.N. and others) to introduce State Duma draft Federal Law “On Soil Protection”, where soil as the initial concept was defined asthe surface layer of the earth, which forms the basis of life and is both a component of nature and a strategic natural resource, represents an independent natural-historical organomineral natural formation that arose on the surface of the earth as a result of a long-term interaction of biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors, microflora, micro- and mesofauna, which has specific genetic and morphological characteristics and properties and has fertility. Unfortunately, the idea of the bill did not receive support from the Government of the Russian Federation, which considered it inappropriate to consider it before the adoption of the Land Code of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law “On Environmental Protection”. Expectations that specifically “ground-level” issues will be resolved by future legislation did not materialize. Law “On Environmental Protection” natural environment" dated December 19, 1991 in all its editions (February 21, 1992, June 2, 1993, July 10, 2001) did not use the concept of soil, naming the land, its subsoil, surface and groundwater, atmospheric air, forests and other vegetation, animal world, microorganisms, genetic fund, natural landscapes (Article 4). New edition This law of January 10, 2002 No. 7-FZ “On Environmental Protection” in relation to soils is also extremely laconic, using this term by listing it along with other components of the natural environment. The Land Code, as noted above, operates with the concept of soil only in the context of defining the concept of a land plot, and then very unsuccessfully. Firstly, the Land Code does not indicate the actual relationship between land and soil as its surface, resulting in the impression that the presence of a soil layer is a sign only of a land plot, but not of land as such. Secondly, it remains unclear what the legislator meant by indicating that the soil layer is included in the surface of the earth "including". This mysterious vagueness and meaningfulness of the wording makes us assume the worst: since the soil layer is mentioned “including,” it means that the legislator knows more about the structure of the earth’s surface than representatives of the natural sciences. Fortunately, this fear is not based on anything (except the text of the Land Code). As before (and, we dare to hope, in a visible perspective), the soil layer was and remains the surface of the earth (of course, and the land plot as part of the earth) without any “including”. In defining such basic concepts Any approximation and vagueness are unacceptable. But thirdly, the Land Code creates another, now truly practical problem. Pointing out that "“a plot of land is a part of the surface of the earth, the boundaries of which are described and certified in accordance with the established procedure,” the legislator is clearly not guided by the task of determining qualitative parameters and spatial boundaries of the soil layer, while the characterization of a land plot as a discrete object of civil rights without this data, in our opinion, is impossible.
the federal law dated January 2, 2000 No. 28-FZ “On the State Land Cadastre” determined in Art. 14 (clause 2), that the Unified State Register of Lands contains the following basic information about land plots: cadastral numbers; location(address); square; category of land and permitted use of land plots; description of the boundaries of land plots and their individual parts; duly registered real rights and restrictions (encumbrances); economic characteristics, including land payments; quality characteristics, including indicators of the state of land fertility for certain categories of land; the presence of real estate objects firmly connected with land plots. It is easy to see that at least some possibility of taking into account the parameters of the soil layer of a land plot during cadastral registration of land exists only in relation to certain categories of land, specifically agricultural land, since the law connects such an assessment with the tasks of studying fertility indicators. By Order of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Land Policy dated November 22, 1999 No. 84, documents for maintaining the State Land Cadastre were put into effect, from which it follows that the characteristics of the quality of agricultural land are reduced mainly to a description of characteristics that reduce fertility (salinity, acidity, rockiness, erosion and deflationary danger, excess moisture, etc.). This line can be traced in Art. 12 of the Federal Law of June 18, 2001 “On Land Management”, according to which the assessment of land quality is carried out in order to obtain information about the properties of land as a means of production in agriculture. Other purposes of land use, apparently, are not considered as a reason for discussing the quality of land. However, land quality is primarily (if not exclusively) soil quality. The soil forms the surface any plot of land, but the surface is not as an ideal outer shell, but as a very real, physically tangible layer of soil, this “rust of the Earth,” having certain dimensions both in plane and in depth. This circumstance is very significant: it is difficult to imagine land plot, from which the soil layer was carefully collected and transported to another place. Will it such"groundless" area land- this is a big question, and not only of a theoretical nature .
A mandatory essential feature of any land plot (regardless of its purpose), in our opinion, should be the spatial and qualitative characteristics of the soil layer, and such characteristics should be included in the description (establishment) of the boundaries of the land plot as an object of law. This is necessary at least for the reasons that the establishment of spatial and qualitative boundaries of the soil layer makes it possible to distinguish between the scope of land legislation and the “sphere of responsibility” of subsoil use legislation. As stated in the preamble of the Law of February 21, 1992 "On Subsoil", the subsoil is part of the earth's crust located below the soil layer, and in its absence - below the earth's surface and the bottom of reservoirs and watercourses, extending to depths accessible for geological study and development . Based on this norm, it can be seen that the soil layer is not only component“earth”, but also a kind of border separating “earth” from the subsoil. Below the soil layer the subsoil begins, above the soil layer the air space extends . If everything seems clear with the definition of the lower boundary of the airspace, then with regard to the upper boundary of the subsoil there is a rather serious problem. The fact is that the law, while correctly characterizing the subsoil as part of the earth’s crust, “skips” over the fact that another integral part The earth's crust is the soil layer lying above the subsoil. Where is the border between them, it's not always clear .
Increasingly, practitioners are asking questions that few people seriously worried about in the previous economic system. For example, the construction of underground structures (communications, underground passages, garages, fuel storage facilities, shopping malls, etc.), which requires digging a pit with excavation and removal of the soil layer, may involve registration of land allotment, allocation of a subsoil plot, or both. But it is clear that in legal and economic terms these options are by no means equivalent and not interchangeable. It is possible to determine exactly what kind of relationship will arise in this case - land use and/or subsoil use - only taking into account the parameters (in particular, depth) of the soil layer on the corresponding land plot. The issue becomes particularly acute in cases where above-ground and underground spaces are developed by different economic entities. There are also situations where the method of placement (above-ground or underground) of functionally similar objects decides the issue of changing the intended purpose of a land plot; accordingly, the pre-emptive right of the tenant of the land plot, who has properly performed his duties, to conclude a lease agreement for new term(Article 621 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation) . Now, after the entry into force of the Land Code of the Russian Federation, similar problems will arise in geometric progression. But given the existing regulatory uncertainty regarding the soil layer and its spatial and qualitative characteristics, courts will not always have reliable tools in their hands to resolve emerging conflicts. It seems that the issue of the definiteness of boundaries, the discreteness of a land plot, could be resolved by analogy with the determination of the spatial boundaries of subsoil plots. Yes, Art. 2 of the Law “On Subsoil” determines that the state subsoil fund consists of used areas, which are geometrized blocks of subsoil, and unused parts of subsoil within the territory of the Russian Federation and its continental shelf. In the same way used land plots can be defined as geometrized blocks of the soil layer, which will create the required clarity in establishing the legal boundaries of used (in use and in circulation) land plots. Gazette of the SND and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, 03/05/1992. No. 10. Art. 457.
NW RF, 01/14/2002. No. 2. Art. 133.
The same mistake, following the Land Code, is repeated by the Federal Law “On Land Management” dated June 18, 2001 No. 78-FZ, in Art. 11 of which it is established that soil, geobotanical and other surveys and surveys are carried out in order to obtain information about the condition of the lands, including soil. It must, however, be taken into account that current legislation recognizes the existence of earth surfaces without soil cover, but it is unlikely that such “soilless” surfaces can be considered land in sections.
It is known that when discussing the draft of the new Land Code, one of the arguments in the dispute was the possibility of “wasting” the soil layer, its sale and export as an independent product. It should be noted that in purely technical terms such a possibility exists. Yes and in legal terms the transportability of the soil layer is beyond doubt. So, for example, paragraph 4 of Art. 13 of the Land Code directly stipulates that when carrying out activities related to soil disturbance construction work and mining operations, the fertile soil layer is removed and used to improve unproductive lands. A rather interesting situation arises, significant necessary part a plot of land, which is classic real estate, turns out to be quite movable. This circumstance has not yet been subjected to an exhaustive analysis, which, perhaps, can lead to a revision of some theoretical provisions on the relationship between movable and immovable property.
In Article 1, Clause 2 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation, airspace is understood as airspace above the territory of the Russian Federation, including airspace above inland waters and the territorial sea.
The literature rightly notes that ownership of subsoil is sometimes combined with ownership of the earth's surface, but such a combination is not mandatory. This means that the current legislation on subsoil “breaks” the right to the subsoil and the right to the surface of the earth. – See, for example: Sheinin L. B. Underground farming: legal regulation // Journal of Russian Law. 2001. No. 11. But it is clear that in such conditions it is all the more necessary to reliably distinguish between the subsoil as an object owned by the state, on the one hand, and the soil layer of the land plot located above the subsoil plot, which may belong to other entities.
Resolution of the Federal Arbitration Court of the Moscow District of July 5, 2001 in case No. KG-A40/3340-01.
Beneath it there is a low-fertile soil layer of 10-50 centimeters. Acid and water are washed out of it, which is why it is called a leaching horizon. Here, their own elements are released due to chemical, biological, physical processes, and clay minerals appear.
Deeper is the parent rock. It also has useful elements. For example, calcium, silicon, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and others.
Let's take a closer look at humus, since it plays a very important role in our lives.
Humus: education, concept
Soil is formed through the weathering of rocks and consists of organic and inorganic components. In addition, it contains air and water. This is just a diagram, but in fact, each layer develops separately in accordance with certain conditions. Our earth only seems homogeneous; it is inhabited by worms, insects, and bacteria.
The top layer of soil is its cover. In forests it is represented by organic remains and fallen leaves, on open areas- herbaceous vegetation. The cover protects the earth from drying out, hail, and cold. The remains of insects and animals decompose under it. During this decomposition process, the soil is naturally enriched with mineral elements.
Humus is inhabited by living organisms, permeated with the roots of trees and plants, and saturated with air. Its structure is loose, in the form of lumps. Here the formation and accumulation of nutrients by root systems occurs.
Any person knows that the top layer of soil, or rather humus, is very important for fertility. The substantia nigra contains carbon and nitrogen. This is a kind of kitchen where food for planting (active humus) is prepared. Also in this layer a balance of nutrients, water and air regimes (stable humus) is created.
What affects the fertile soil layer
The top layer of soil is affected by cultivation technology, type, climate, and crop rotation. In the garden, adding organic amendments and rotted compost can significantly increase the stable humus.
Important for gardening. It depends on the mineral composition. Vegetable plants grow well in neutral or slightly acidic soils.
There are also indicators of fertility:
- General acidity.
- Current acidity.
- Cation exchange.
- Requirement for liming.
- Saturation with bases.
- Organic content.
- Macronutrient content.
Fertility is also affected by the “soil density” indicator. High values lead to deterioration air regime, difficult mobilization of nutrients, insufficient root growth. Low density retards the growth of the root system due to voids and leads to increased evaporation of moisture.
Currently, there are fertilizers and additives, as well as various procedures to improve the quality of the fertile layer. But the earth needs to rest. Remember this!
What is soil? This is the uppermost solid layer of the earth's crust on which plants live and develop. Soil is the basic condition for plant life - a source of water and essential nutrients.
To successfully engage in gardening, horticulture and floriculture, you need to understand the structure of the soil - after all, it can be successfully cultivated. This means, if necessary, we can change the composition of the soil, adapting it to the life of our plants.
Soil layers
The soil consists of four layers.
Wet soil layer
This surface soil layer, it is only 3-7 centimeters thick. The moistened layer is dark in color. Vigorous biological activity occurs in this layer - after all, most soil organisms live here.
Humus layer of soil
The humus layer is thicker than the moistened layer - approximately 10-30 centimeters. It is humus that is the basis of plant fertility. When the thickness of the humus layer is 30 cm and above, the soil is considered very fertile.
This layer is also inhabited by organisms - they process plant residues into mineral components, which in turn dissolve in groundwater ah, and then they are absorbed by the roots of plants.
Preferential layer
Preferential layer also called mineral. A huge amount of nutrients is concentrated in this layer, but the biological activity here is not at all great. However, the mineral layer also contains soil organisms that process nutrients into a form suitable for further consumption by plants.
Source rocks
Layer mother rocks not biologically active. It is quite fragile - if it is not protected by previous layers, it becomes thinner very quickly, as it is susceptible to leaching and weathering.
Mechanical composition of the soil
And what do the soil layers themselves consist of? They have four components: organic and inorganic solids, water and air.
Solid inorganic particles
Solid inorganic particles in soil include sand, stone and clay. Clay is a key component of soil because it can bind the soil and hold water and dissolved nutrients.
The space between solid soil particles is called pores. The pores perform a capillary role, delivering water to the roots of plants, as well as a drainage role, removing excess liquid, avoiding its stagnation.
Particulate matter
The organic part of the soil is humus (humus) and soil fauna.
Soil bacteria and other organisms absorb plant residues and organic waste, process and decompose them, resulting in the release of simple mineral compounds (primarily nitrogen) necessary for plant nutrition. This process of decomposition of organic matter in the soil by bacteria is called humification.
Humus is the most significant part of the soil:
Humus is “responsible” for converting any components found in the soil into a form available for plant nutrition.
IN natural state humus is the soil's immune system. It improves plant health and increases their resistance to pathogens.
Humus creates an optimal loose soil structure in which all processes - oxygen and water exchange - are stabilized.
Soils rich in humus retain heat and warm up faster.
According to the degree of humus content, soils are divided into:
poor humus (less than 1% humus),
moderately humus (1-2%),
medium humus (2-3%),
humus (more than 3%).
Only humus soils are suitable for agricultural needs.
However, it should be clarified that if the soil is not properly cultivated and over-fertilized for many years, the biological activity of the soil fauna is significantly reduced. Then the amount of humus can remain high, but the soil becomes unsuitable for planting and not fertile.
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Soil water
Soil water is not just a pure liquid, it is a nutrient solution that contains organic and inorganic substances inherent in the soil. Water enters the soil with precipitation, from the air, from groundwater, and also with irrigation (if we're talking about about soils used by humans).
Plants receive nutrition through soil water.
Different types of soil have different ability to absorb and retain moisture.
Sandy soils absorb water best, but they also retain it poorly - because the distance between particles (pores) in such soils is greatest.
Clay soils do not absorb water well and do not remove water well - due to their solid structure and minimal distances between solid particles.
The best soils in terms of structure are mixed humus soils, in which the structure is most balanced, so water is well absorbed, retained and carried to the roots of plants.
Soil air
Soil air also found between solid soil particles, along with water. It is needed to ensure the respiration of soil organisms and plant roots. Unlike the above-ground parts of plants, roots absorb oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. For this reason carbon dioxide more in soil air compared to atmospheric air.
To provide plant roots with oxygen, loosen the soil. If there is not enough oxygen in the soil air, the growth of the plant root system slows down, and metabolism is also disrupted - the plant cannot fully absorb water and absorb nutrients. In addition, when there is a lack of oxygen in the soil, instead of the process of humification, the process of rotting occurs.
This explains the fact that even in seemingly well-moistened and nutritious soil, plants begin to feel depressed - they do not have enough oxygen for proper nutrition and health.
You need to know what type of soil your garden plot is in order to quickly and efficiently minimal costs master it and make it suitable for growing garden crops. The suitability of a site for a garden largely depends on the type of soil, topography, groundwater level, soil fertility, etc.
Peat soil. © Ragesoss Content:
What do you mean by soil fertility?
Soil fertility - the content of nutrients in the soil, its physical and agronomic properties. It largely depends on human economic activity. Fertile soil can satisfy the need for food and water throughout the life of the plant. More information about nutrients is described in the “Fertilizers” section.
How do you know what type of soil is in your garden plot and how fertile it is?
Most of the land allocated for collective gardens does not have high fertility. The level of soil fertility can be determined through a detailed survey of the site and agrochemical soil analysis. This makes it possible to accurately determine the soil type, mechanical composition, agrochemical characteristics and outline a set of measures to improve or cultivate it. Soil analysis is carried out by regional chemicalization stations Agriculture at the request of gardening groups.
What biological characteristics of garden plants should be taken into account when developing a plot for a garden?
When determining the suitability of a site for a garden, it is necessary to take into account the relationship of plants to the soil, its temperature and humidity, the depth and width of the roots. The bulk of the roots of apple and pear trees develop in a soil layer from 100-200 to 600 mm, cherries and plums - from 100 to 400 mm, and in berry bushes - even shallower. To the sides, the roots are placed behind the projection of the crown.
In relation to soil moisture, garden crops are arranged sequentially from the most drought-resistant (cherries, gooseberries) to moisture-loving (plum, raspberries, strawberries). An intermediate position is occupied by apple, pear, black currant, and sea buckthorn. The apple and pear trees are the most demanding regarding the level of groundwater (2-3 m from the soil surface); less demanding berry bushes(up to 1 m). A closer location of groundwater worsens the water-air regime of the soil and can lead to death fruit plants.
Loam (Loam). © Grimboy
What are soil and soil horizons and what is their significance?
Soil is the top layer of earth in which the bulk of the roots of fruit and berry plants lie. It consists of soil horizons, physical properties And chemical composition which differ in fertility and influence the nature of the development and distribution of plant roots.
Different soil types
What soils are common in central Russia?
The main types of soils in this strip include soddy-podzolic, swampy and swampy (soddy-podzolic zone), gray forest-steppe (forest-steppe zone), and chernozems.
How are soils classified according to their mechanical composition?
According to the mechanical composition, soils and subsoils are divided into sandy on sand, sandy on loam, sandy loam on sand, sandy loam on loam, loamy, clayey, peat. They differ in water-physical properties (specific gravity, bulk density, soil resistivity, wilting moisture, lowest moisture capacity, reserve of productive moisture at the lowest moisture capacity, filtration coefficient, capillary rise height).
Sandy loam soil. © Bedroom Furniture What are the main disadvantages of different soil types?
The disadvantage of sandy loam and sandy soils is low reserves of productive moisture if these soils are formed on deep (over 1500 mm) sand. In heavy loamy and clay soils low water permeability, which leads to washout of the top layer on slopes, and in low places to waterlogging and poor heating.
What is the suitability of soil for gardens?
The suitability of soddy-podzolic, boggy and bog soils for gardens varies. If soddy, soddy-slightly podzolic, soddy-medium podzolic, soddy-peaty-gleyic, peat-gleyic lowland swamp and peat-gleyic transitional swamp soils are suitable for garden plants, then strongly podzolic, podzolic, sod-podzolic-gleyic, peat-gleyic raised bog soils are among the worst soils, and without special measures for cultivation and reclamation (draining) they are unsuitable for gardens.
Peat soils
What are peat soils?
Territories of drained swamps and peat workings are increasingly being allocated for collective gardens. The soil cover in wetlands is peat. Peat soils have some unfavorable properties, so it is impossible to grow cultivated plants on them without radical transformation.
What are the characteristics of peat soils in raised bogs?
Taking into account the origin of the bogs and the thickness of the peat layer, peat soils of high-moor and low-lying bogs are distinguished. Raised bogs are located on flat surfaces with limited runoff of rain and melt water, as a result of which they receive excess moisture.
In the peat layer there are no conditions for the supply of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, or more complete decomposition of plant residues. This leads to the formation of some compounds harmful to plants and to severe acidification of the peat mass. Nutrients in peat are converted into forms inaccessible to plants. Soil organisms that help increase and maintain fertility are absent. The vegetation cover is very poor.
What are the characteristics of peat soils in lowland swamps?
Lowland swamps are located in wide hollows with a slight slope. The water in them accumulates due to groundwater saturated with calcium, magnesium, and iron salts. The acidity of the peat layer is weak or close to neutral. Vegetation cover is good. According to the thickness of the peat layer, three types of peat soils are distinguished: I - with thin peat (less than 200 mm), II - with medium-thick peat (200-400), III - with thick peat (more than 400 mm).
Peat. © tsatu How to use peat soils?
Peat soils of high and lowland bogs in their natural state are unsuitable for cultivation cultivated plants. However, they have hidden fertility due to the presence of organic matter in the form of peat. The negative properties of peat are eliminated by draining, liming, sanding, and fertilizing. Draining, that is, lowering the groundwater level and promptly removing excess water from the root layer of the soil, can be done by constructing an open drainage network. Reclamation improves the water, gas and thermal regimes of the soil and creates conditions for effective use fertilizers
Garden plots should be placed in accordance with the drainage network design. Additionally, it is necessary to construct main ditches along the central road, as well as ditches 200-250 mm deep and 300-400 mm wide along the border of the garden plot with a common drainage into the main drainage network. Flooding of even a few areas in the spring is unacceptable. By the third ten days of May, the ditches should be free of water.
If it is not possible to reduce the groundwater level, then fruit crops can be grown on low-growing rootstocks, the roots of which are located in the upper layers of the soil. Besides, fruit trees should be planted on earthen mounds 300-500 mm high. The diameter of the mound should be increased annually as the tree grows. At the same time, it is better to refuse planting holes, limiting yourself to deep (up to 300-400 mm) digging of the top layer of soil.
A significant decrease in the groundwater level on peat soils underlain by thick sands in dry years can lead to a lack of moisture in the root layer, especially in areas of types I and II, where the thickness of the peat is small. In this case, you need to provide a source of watering.
How to reduce the acidity of peat soils?
In peat soils of raised bogs, peat decomposition is inhibited by high acidity (pH 2.8-3.5). At the same time, fruit and berry plants cannot develop successfully and produce crops. The optimal environmental reaction for such plants is 5.0-6.0. Peat soils of lowland bogs usually correspond to the optimal acidity level.
The only way to eliminate excess acidity in any soil is liming. It sharply shifts the biological processes in peat in a direction favorable for the growth of garden plants. Activation of microbial activity accelerates the decomposition of peat and improves its agrophysical and agrochemical properties. Light brown fibrous peat turns into a dark, almost black earthy mass.
Hard-to-reach forms of nutrients are converted into compounds that are easily digestible by plants. The applied phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are fixed in the root layer of the soil, are not washed out of it in spring and autumn, remaining accessible to plants.
Soil. © James Snape Are there other techniques to improve peat soils?
Peat soils can be improved by sanding. To do this, distribute a large amount of sand evenly on the surface of the peat bog, then dig up the area to mix the peat and sand. This technique dramatically improves the physical properties of peat soils.
Sanding is best carried out in type III areas with a peat layer of more than 400 mm, the amount of sand is 4 m 3 (6 tons) per 100 m 2, the amount of lime is reduced by half. In areas of types I and II, sanding is not recommended, since when digging the soil, the underlying layer of sand is captured with a shovel and mixed with peat, that is, sanding of the upper layer of peat is carried out (without additional addition of sand from the outside).
Moreover, in type I areas it is advisable to add additional peat (4-6 m 3 per 100 m 2). In subsequent years, as the peat decomposes, it is advisable to apply peat-manure and peat-fecal composts in increased doses to these areas.
If there are heavy clay soils, then the amount of sand should be increased even with a small layer of peat, since when digging these soils are involved in cultivation, which is required when developing such areas.
Is it possible to plant a garden in areas that have emerged from swamps, forests, quarries, etc.?
With thorough cultural and technical work, these areas can also be used for gardens and vegetable gardens. Removing stumps after uprooting, bushes, stones, draining water, leveling the surface with filling holes, cutting off mounds, pouring turf soil, planning the site, arranging a drainage or irrigation network - all this must be done when developing areas that have come out from under the forest, quarry, quarry
Labor-intensive work general It is better to carry out using mechanisms until the entire array is divided into separate sections. In this case, the necessary assistance should be provided by enterprises and institutions whose teams are allocated land plots for gardens and vegetable gardens.
Soil. © stellar678 What work is carried out before planting a garden?
The development of a land plot usually begins with the installation of a drainage network. But sometimes you have to take care of irrigation. Then you need to remove stumps, stones, bushes, level the soil surface, add lime, sand, organic and mineral fertilizers if necessary, and dig the soil to a depth of 200 mm. Doses of lime, fertilizers, sand depend on the type of soil, its acidity, mechanical composition, and agrochemical characteristics. They also take care of protecting the future garden from the prevailing winds.
The entire array should be lined with tree species (linden, maple, elm, birch, ash). As a hedge, you can use yellow acacia, hazel, mock orange (jasmine), honeysuckle, rose hips, chokeberry (chokeberry). Garden protection strips must have an openwork design and be ventilated. To do this, trees should be placed in two rows according to a pattern of 1.5-3×1-1.25 m, shrubs - in one or two rows according to a pattern of 0.75-1.5×0.5-0.75 m.
Garden protection strips are not planted if garden plot surrounded by forest or buildings. It is not recommended to plant garden protection strips on the sides facing ravines, rivers and lowlands. Subsequently, instead of the fallen trees, healthy, strong specimens of the same species that grow in the garden protection belts are planted, and according to the same pattern in two rows.
The garden can be protected and wooden fence from slabs, planks, slats, stakes, as well as ornamental plants.
