A recipe for great soil
PREPARING SOIL FOR THE OUTDOOR SEASON
All soil isn ’ t created equal . For a soil to really help plants and crops maximize growth and production , essential elements and nutrients are required . Eric Hopper explains what separates great soil from bad soil .
by Eric Hopper
The most significant advantage of gardening outdoors is access to the ultimate energy source : the sun . There is simply no artificial lighting that can compare . However , for outdoor crops to reach their full genetic potential , they must have access to more than sunlight . Specifically , essential and beneficial elements must be available . The essential non-mineral elements ( hydrogen , oxygen , and carbon ) are obtained via water and air and as long as there is rain or irrigation , an outdoor garden will get the non-mineral elements . Unlike the non-mineral elements , the essential and beneficial mineral elements are provided to the plant through the soil . To maximize performance , a grower must ensure his or her soil contains all the essential and beneficial elements .
42 Maximum Yield