All experienced and beginner summer residents know that chernozem is the most fertile soil. No mineral fertilizers can replace it, because nature itself created it. Chernozem can be called a living organism, which cannot be artificially created. Several hundred years are spent on the transformation of mineral and organic substances into nutritious soil, which plants then use for their development.
Today, many companies are engaged in the supply of this land. To make the right choice from the whole variety of offers will help a clear idea of this soil. You need to know the main features of chernozem and its differences from other soils.
Chernozem - what is this soil?
Based on the name, this land can be identified by its black color. Also distinguishing features are the structure and the specific smell, which appears due to the content of a large amount of humus. It is an organic substance that forms during the decay of plant debris.
The fertility of the soil is just due to the content of humus. The more it is, the better. Depending on the type of chernozem, the amount of humus can be different. Usually this indicator ranges from 3-15%, which is considered the norm.
Properties of chernozem soil
1. Because of its composition, chernozem always has a more or less black color, which is a typical feature. The darker it is, the more humus in the soil.
2. The average thickness of the land of black soil is 60-140 centimeters.
3. The soil contains soluble nutrients, responds favorably to moisture and heat.
4. Chernozem contains a record amount of humus and calcium, therefore it is very fertile. In addition, the composition is balanced, easily absorbed by plants and does not harm them.
5. The structure of the earth is lumpy and grit. Due to this, it is resistant to compaction, leaching, weathering and the formation of crusts. Through this soil, the root system of plants receives the optimum amount of moisture and air. But still, some experts believe that it is not loose enough. Therefore, it is recommended to add peat or sand to the chernozem.
Land characteristics and composition
- High calcium content - 70%.
- A significant amount of humic acids is up to 15%.
- Magnesium - up to 20%.
- Nitrogen, iron, phosphorus, sulfur and other nutrients are contained in smaller quantities.
All this gives chernozem excellent water-air qualities and neutral acidity, less often - slightly alkaline.
Black soil coloring
The color of the soil changes depending on its chemical composition, humidity and soil formation conditions. It is always worth paying attention to coloring, because it is the most affordable sign for observation.
The most important are three groups of elements. Humic substances color the earth in black, dark gray tones. Manganese and iron give red and brown shades. Reddish-orange or yellow color indicates the presence of iron compounds in the soil.
Black earth has a whitish color when the decomposition products of the mineral component are washed out in it, and salinization processes occur. This means that the composition contains kaolin, gypsum, magnesium, silica and calcium carbonate.
Varieties of chernozem
Specialists divide the chernozem into five types, depending on the climatic zone.
1. Leached. Formed in the forest-steppe zone as a result of rotting of herbs and grasses.
2. Ordinary. Inherent to steppe areas, formed after the death of various herbs.
3. Podzolized. It occurs in deciduous grassy forests.
4. South. It is formed in the process of decomposition of fescue-feather grass vegetation. It can be seen in the steppe zones of the southern regions.
5. Typical. The formation of this soil occurs on loams after the dying of forbs and grasses growing in forest steppes and meadows.
It is worth noting that the most fertile of these is the southern type of chernozem. This is due to the highest proportion of humus in its composition, which allows you to consistently get good yields. Because of this feature, southern soil is most valued by summer residents and farmers.
Also, chernozem is distinguished by the power of the humus layer.
1. Low-power and medium. The depth of humus is 25-70 centimeters.
2. Powerful. Humus is 0.7-1.2 meters away from the surface.
3. Heavy duty. Humus can be found at a depth of 1.2-1.5 meters.
The people distinguish the following types of chernozem: sandy, clayey and loamy, which consists of sand, clay and loam.
Black soil formation
For the formation of fertile soil, several factors are needed. First of all, these are temperate or temperate continental climatic conditions. There should be a sufficient amount of organics and microorganisms in the soil. Hydrological conditions should be such that periods of moistening and drying are alternated. The soil should be on a specific breed (often a forest).
Chernozem meets all these criteria in the Moscow Region and other central regions, in Western Siberia and the Volga region. This does not mean that the rest of the areas are doomed to a poor harvest. If the land on the site is poor loamy or light sandy, you can buy fertile soil.
Improving soil properties
There are measures that allow even on poor soils to get a high yield. At the same time, when growing flowers, ornamental plantings, fruits and vegetables, it is important not to disturb the culture of agriculture. You can’t bring high-quality soil once and don’t do anything else, hoping that the plants will take care of themselves.
Experienced summer residents and farmers know that fresh chernozem in bags does not need fertilizers. Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are enough to produce a good crop. However, it should be borne in mind that these reserves of land will last for a maximum of three years. Each time, to ensure their functions, plants will draw out useful substances from the soil until it is completely impoverished.
Already in the second year after the importation of chernozem, it is recommended to introduce natural fertilizers into the soil in order to maintain the fertility of crops. For these purposes, humus, compost and ash are successfully used. But after three years, it’s still better to re-enrich your site with black soil.
How to distinguish chernozem from other soils?
Black soil has several features that make it easy to distinguish from other varieties of soil. The first thing that catches your eye is color. It should be dark, even bright black. Secondly, it is worth paying attention to the structure. Chernozem is a coarse-grained soil in which clods of earth can be found.
You can also conduct small tests. Wet the soil and see how it behaves. Even after a long time it will remain wet, and by consistency it will resemble clay. Or take a handful of earth in your hand and squeeze it in the palm of your hand. Black soil will leave a dark and greasy mark. It is by these signs that the most fertile soil is determined.
Fertile land
Since chernozem is a very valuable land, it is used for various purposes. For planting vegetables, grains, fodder crops, cultivating vineyards, berries and orchards in general. This land is filled with greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses and pots for forcing flower plants. Also, chernozem soil is laid for landscaping shopping centers, office areas, landscape design of cottages, country houses and cottages.
The introduction of fertile soil improves the particle size distribution and physiological properties of the earth, such as density and water permeability. But chernozem on clay and heavy soils is usually ineffective. It is best used on light sandy loams. When planting a fertile ground, it is recommended to lay a little in the hole.
The variety of plants on the site is very important. The richer their species composition will be, the more structured the soil will become. This is especially true for loose chernozem. Therefore, experts advise to have in their garden not only annual vegetables, but also garden shrubs and trees.
How much black soil should be mixed to the ground? Usually this ratio is 3: 1. Such a soil is suitable for almost all plants. It is also usually brought to sites that are re-mastered after construction.
Organic farming
Today, more and more agronomists are switching to this method of growing products. Its meaning is to respect the soil, use only organic fertilizers and biological methods of pest control. The productivity of environmentally friendly crops will directly depend on the properties of the land.
You can go the hard way - to conduct laboratory tests and determine which substances are not enough for the soil. But it will be easier, of course, to deliver the chernozem to the site in bags or on trucks. Such soil has all the necessary minerals, combines with different soils and can be applied at any time.
Soil purchase
Today you can find many ads for the sale of fertilizers and soil. Some of them attract low cost. But here you need to be on your guard. An unscrupulous seller may, under the guise of black soil, offer low-grade soil with a low humus content. But such a hoax is easy to uncover - the soil will be too light in color.
It is also worth paying attention to the cleanliness of the earth. It should not have debris or impurities. Of course, they reduce the cost, but also increase labor costs. The “dirty” chernozem will have to be sifted or sorted out manually.
Many are lost in the question of how much soil you need to buy. But this is not at all difficult. Determine the area to be covered with earth. One cube of black soil will weigh about one ton.
Cost
On average, a ton of land along with delivery will cost about five hundred rubles. But the more ordering black soil, the cheaper it will cost. So, with the purchase of 15 tons, its price may fall to 350 rubles per ton.
For suburban areas, of course, comparatively smaller volumes are needed. In stores you can find bags of fifty or forty liters. For packed black soil, the price fluctuates around two hundred or three hundred rubles. However, the cost can vary greatly depending on the region.
Chernozem can be considered universal soil, which is suitable for planting flowers, and for growing fruit crops, and for styling the landscape. But fertile soil is not a panacea. In any case, you will have to make at least a little effort to get a decent result.