Best Dry Amendments for Soil: Prep Your Organic Garden Now

Having a successful garden starts with healthy soil with good soil structure. That may leave you wondering, what are the best dry amendments for soil and where do I start?

Start with a Soil Test to Know the Best Dry Amendments for Soil

Doing a soil test a few weeks before it’s time to plant your vegetable garden will tell you exactly what organic soil amendments you need to add.  You can go with a basic soil test that will tell you the soil pH and NPK (nitrogen, phosporus, and potassium). 

If you plan ahead though, you can send off a soil sample for a more thorough test which will tell you the pH level, NPK, and trace mineral content of your vegetable garden soil. Once you have your results you can filter through these categories of organic dry amendments to choose what you will add to your garden soil. 

Best Dry Amendments for Soil to Add Nitrogen

If your soil test shows you are low on nitrogen, amending your soil with any of these will be a good choice. Nitrogen is vital for leafy growth and healthy plants.

Why is Nitrogen Important in Vegetable Gardens

Nitrogen is the N in NPK. It is responsible for all that lush, green, leafy plant growth.  Without enough nitrogen, your plants will be stunted, producing smaller yields. A lack of nitrogen may leave you asking why your plant leaves are yellow. Be sure your garden soil has the proper amount of nitrogen by doing a soil test.

• Alfalfa Meal– With a NPK of 3-1-2 and a host of trace elements, such as Vitamin A,B,E, magnesium, and iron. It also has a natural growth hormone, triacontanol, which stimulates root systems for vigorous, healthy plant growth.
• Soy Meal- If grown organically, Soy meal is a great nitrogen addition. With a NPK of 7-1.5-1 it will boost nitrogen but needs to be applied several weeks in advance. If you can’t find certified organic soy meal, there are better choices to add nitrogen to the garden soil. 
• Blood Meal- A concentrated source of nitrogen with a NPK of 12-0-0.  Blood meal is also said to keep deer and rabbits from eating your plants, as they avoid the smell of blood. 
• Grass Clippings- A free and good choice to add nitrogen to the garden soil.  Can be mixed in to decompose or used as a top dressing or mulch, adding organic matter, regulating soil temperatures, and covers the soil for weed control. 
• Chicken Manure- It’s high in nitrogen but also has phosporus and potassium.  Not only that, it’s free, adds organic matter, and improves soil structure. Just be sure it’s composted so you don’t burn your plants. Certain plants love chicken manure.
•  Neem Meal- With a NPK of 6-1-2, neem meal is a great choice to add nitrogen to the garden

Dry Amendments for Soil to Add Phosphorous

If your soil test shows that your vegetable garden is lacking phosporus, amending your soil with any of these will be a good idea. Phosporus is vital for healthy plants and nutrient uptake.

Why is Phosphorus Important for Vegetable Gardens

Phosphorus is the P in NPK. It is one of the three main nutrients that plants need.  It is responsible for developing flowers, fruits, and creating healthy root systems for nutrient uptake. Phosporus is also vital to seed formation on your vegetable plants. Be sure to do a soil test to be sure your garden soil isn’t lacking this important macronutrient. 

• Seabird Guano- Look to seabird guano if you are lacking phosporus. With an NPK of 0-11-0 it is sure to give a high dose of phosphorus. 
• Bone Meal– Another popular choice for adding phosporus is bone meal.  It has a NPK of 2-14-0, which will definitely boost your blooms.

Best Dry Amendments for Soil Potassium

If your soil test shows you are lacking potassium, amending your soil with these nutrients will be an good choice. Potassium is vital for healthy plants.

Why is Potassium Important for Vegetable Gardens

Potassium is important in all aspects of plant growth and reproductions.  It also makes plants less likely to be effected by drought, excess water, and temperature fluctuations. Plants that are deficient in potassium are also more likely to be attacked by pests and overcome by viruses and disease. Do a soil test to be sure your garden soil isn’t lacking in phosporus. 

• Kelp Meal– This is a nutrient supplement with a NPK of 1-0.1-2. Not only will it give a potassium boost, it is also full of micronutrients.
• Potash- Also known as potassium, increases your plant’s ability to uptake water, synthesize plant sugars that are used as food, and increases flowering.
• Wood Ash- Also known as potash is another great source of potassium.

Dry Amendments for Soil with Balanced Nutrients

Adding amendments to your garden soil that have a balance of nutrients is a safe way to go if your soil test comes back low across the board for NPK.

• Bat Guano- With an NPK of 7-3-1 and micronutrients, it is a great balanced fertilizer that can be quickly absorbed by your plants. 
• Insect Frass- Not only will it feed plants with a NPK of 3-1-1, it also inoculates soil, boosts immunity, and helps prevent pests.
• Worm Castings- They are said to be the superfood of plants.  With all the macronutrients and a host of micronutrients, it will not only feed plants but improve soil structure and soil health.
• Compost & Compost Tea- With beneficial bacteria, fungi, and nutrients, you can’t go wrong with compost. It will help build and improve your garden soil structure.

Best Dry Amendments for Soil for Mineral Trace Elements

Testing and adding trace elements to your soil is vital for plant growth. Find what trace minerals your garden soil is lacking by having a complete soil test done before adding anything to your garden soil. Test don’t guess. 

Why are Trace Elements Important in Vegetable Gardens

Trace minerals are important in building enzymes which regulate cellular functions. This is necessary for optimum growth, enabling plants to soak up the sunlight energy through photosynthesis. Be sure to include organic amendments with trace minerals for optimal soil health. 

• Crustacean Meal- Made from the shells of crustaceans and full of calcium.  As a bonus it also creates a hostile environment for pests.
• Garden or Dolomite Lime- Also a course of calcium and magnesium but can raise the pH of your garden soil so be sure to know your soil pH before using.
• Epsom Salt- A great source of magnesium and can be useful in preventing blossom end rot.
• Azomite- With over 50, yes 50, trace minerals it’s a great addition to your garden soil.
• Rock Dust- A great addition for potash, calcium, magnesium, iron, and sodium.  
• Green Sand- A good choice for iron and potash and is often used to help break up hard soil compaction.
• Malted Bareley- Chock full of enzymes. These enzymes break down the nutrients, such as NPK and trace minerals, that your plants need and make them able to be absorbed.

Best Dry Amendments for Soil to Improve Soil Structure

Improving your growing by adding organic matter and the best dry amendments for soil. This will encourage a healthy, thriving garden. Healthy soil with good structure is the foundation of a great garden. 

Why is Soil Structure Important

Soil with good structure allows plant roots to move freely through the soil, accessing water and valuable nutrients. Good soil structure also allows water and nutrients to move through the soil. It improves drainage and also reduces erosion. 

• Bio Char- Another powerhouse amendment. Provides housing for microbes, water, nutrients, helps to build soil structure, and increase soil health.
• Worm Castings- Packed with nutrients and soil building capabilities. Worm castings improve soil structure by increasing soil’s water retention and aeration. 
• Compost- AKA Black Gold. Not only will compost feed your plants, it will also improve soil structure and soil health by adding tons of composted organic matter to the soil. 
• Perlite and Vermiculite- Perlite aerates soil so it has better drainage where as vermiculite acts like a sponge to help soil retain moisture.
• Humic Acid- Humic acid actually binds with soil particles helping loosen heavy, compacted soil and also adding structure to loose soils, promoting root growth.
• Peat Moss- Absorbing and retaining moisture, it loosens compacted soil and adds structure to sandy soil, while holding nutrients for plants. 
• Triple Shredded Mulch or Fine Wood Chips- Adds organic matter to break down over time, eventually feeding the plants, while building soil structure.

Best Dry Amendments for Soil for Pest Control in Vegetable Gardens

​Another method of organic pest control is to create an unfavorable environment for pests. Some of the best dry amendments for soil also provide organic pest control by doing just that. 

• Diatomaceous Earth- Effective against anything with an exoskeleton, DE is a great way to provide non-toxic pest control in the garden. Just be sure to keep it dry so it is effective.
• Neem Meal- Protects plants roots from soil borne pests in the garden such as, grubs, root knot nematodes, and root aphids. 
• Crustacean Meal- Creates a hostile environment, which helps keep pests at bay.  

Soil Amendments to Avoid in Vegetable Gardens

• Fresh Sawdust
• Non Composted Organic Materials
• Bark or Wood Mulch

How Do I Choose the Right Organic Soil Amendments for My Garden?

​With so many options for the best dry amendments for soil, the only actual way to know what to add and how much to add is to do a soil test.  Test don’t guess.  Another important factor is to know your soil type. 

The Different Types of Soil

• Sandy Soils
• Clay Soils
• Silt Soils
• Loam Soils

How Do I Test the Soil in my Garden?

To do a soil test, take samples from all of your garden beds. You’ll want the sample to be drawn several inches down in the soil where plant roots would be taking up nutrients.  Most soil test kits will have you mix those samples together to test one sample, especially for mail off soil test kits. 

What Does a Soil Test Tell You About Soil Quality?

A basic soil test will tell you if you have any pH issues and if it needs to be adjusted.  It will also tell you the levels of the three macronutrients that your garden needs, nitrogen, phosporus, and potassium or NPK. The more thorough mail off test kits will also tell you the micronutrient levels of your garden soil.  

How Do I Apply Organic Soil Amendments to My Garden?

Depending on the amendment, it may be a top dressing or something that you mix into the soil at the beginning of the growing season. How to add nutrients to soil will depend on what amendment it is. Always follow the directions on the package.

What Are the Benefits of Using Organic Dry Amendments?

The best dry amendments for soil have many benefits for soil and plant health. They can enhance soil structure, increase the soil’s ability to hold water, feed beneficial microorganisms, provide essential nutrients, and encourage healthy root development.  

Are There Any Precautions I Should Take When Using Organic Dry Amendments?

Always be sure that organic raw materials or animal manure are fully composted so they don’t burn plants or tie up nitrogen as they are decomposing. Furthermore, be cautious with manure-based composts and make sure they are free of persistent herbicides. 

Be sure to follow the package directions on any amendment that you use in your garden, as they are all different.  And please, do a soil test before adding any amendments. 

Soil Mixes you Can Make at Home Instead of Using Synthetic Fertilizers

Basic Organic Fertilizer Recipe

• 4 Parts Seed Meal (Soybean, Alfalfa, or Cottonseed)
• 1/4 Part Lime
• A Quarter Cup Gypsum
• 1/4 Part Rock Phosphate
• 1/2 Part Bone Meal

Mix All Ingredients Thoroughly. Use  2-3 Cups Per 100 Square Feet of Garden Soil. A great mix  for Promoting Overall Plant Health and Growth.

High Nitrogen Fertilizer Recipe

• 3 Parts Cottonseed Meal
• 1 Part Blood Meal
• 1 Part Kelp Meal

Mix All Ingredients Thoroughly. Use 2-3 Cups Per 100 Square Feet of Garden Soil. A good choice for Plants That Require More Nitrogen, Such as Leafy Greens.

All-purpose Fertilizer Recipe

• 4 Parts Seed Meal (Soybean, Alfalfa, or Cottonseed)
• 1/4 Part Lime
• 1/4 Part Rock Phosphate
• 1/2 Part Bone Meal
• 1/2 Part Kelp Meal
• 1/4 Part Gypsum

Mix All Ingredients Thoroughly. Use 2-3 Cups Per 100 Square Feet of Garden Soil. This Mix Provides a Balanced Mix of Nutrients.

Compost Accelerator

Mix Together Equal Parts of the Following Ingredients:

• Bone Meal
• Blood Meal
• Cottonseed Meal
• Rock Phosphate

This Mix Provides a High Dose of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, Which Are Essential for Breaking Down Organic Matter in a Compost Pile.

So, What Are the Best Dry Amendments for Soil?

Hopefully now you have a better idea of what organic dry amendments are good for amending poor soil in the vegetable garden. For good measure, don’t rely on good luck. Do a soil test so you know exactly what plant nutrients you need. 

Happy Homesteading & Gardening, 

Jenny @ The GrahamStead Family Farm

Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10 acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of hides!

Sources:

www.drgreenthumbs.com