How to Fix Compacted Soil
Discover the cause of compaction., Reroute traffic., Reduce cultivation.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Discover the cause of compaction.
Several obvious reasons cause soil compression, such as heavy machinery and foot traffic.
Less obvious reasons include over-tilling the soil, leaving the soil bare to the rain, or working with wet soil.
Knowing the reason for compaction helps you take precautions to limit it now and avoid it again in the future., Shift livestock, machinery, vehicle, and foot traffic away from the compacted area.
Provide alternative routes and block off the area with barriers such as signs and fences.
Do this long enough to give the area a rest and consider protecting the area permanently by keeping paths, roads, or stock runs to restrict traffic to one area.Try to designate already degraded soil for paths and household construction to limit the spread of compaction. , If you use the compacted area for farming or gardening, move your plants somewhere else for at least one growing cycle.
Instead, try substituting a cover crop at the end of the season, such as winter wheat or ryegrass.
The roots break up the soil, and then next season you can mow and turn it in the soil with a spade or tiller to further aerate.A light, non-machine compaction can often be cured by letting the soil freeze and thaw through one growing cycle.
Tillage radishes can help with severe compaction with their large roots, which work deep into the soil and leave space after they decay. -
Step 2: Reroute traffic.
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Step 3: Reduce cultivation.
Detailed Guide
Several obvious reasons cause soil compression, such as heavy machinery and foot traffic.
Less obvious reasons include over-tilling the soil, leaving the soil bare to the rain, or working with wet soil.
Knowing the reason for compaction helps you take precautions to limit it now and avoid it again in the future., Shift livestock, machinery, vehicle, and foot traffic away from the compacted area.
Provide alternative routes and block off the area with barriers such as signs and fences.
Do this long enough to give the area a rest and consider protecting the area permanently by keeping paths, roads, or stock runs to restrict traffic to one area.Try to designate already degraded soil for paths and household construction to limit the spread of compaction. , If you use the compacted area for farming or gardening, move your plants somewhere else for at least one growing cycle.
Instead, try substituting a cover crop at the end of the season, such as winter wheat or ryegrass.
The roots break up the soil, and then next season you can mow and turn it in the soil with a spade or tiller to further aerate.A light, non-machine compaction can often be cured by letting the soil freeze and thaw through one growing cycle.
Tillage radishes can help with severe compaction with their large roots, which work deep into the soil and leave space after they decay.
About the Author
Helen Ross
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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