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Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
2015 declared the Year of the So The United Nations have declared that 2015 is the Year of the Soils. Healthy soils are the foundation for food, fuel, fibre and even medicine, and are essential for healthy plants and landscapes. Soils are also essential to our ecosystems, playing a key role in the carbon cycle, storing and filtering water, and improving resilience to floods and droughts. Soil is the largest pool of organic carbon, which is essential for mitigating and adapting to climate change. In an era of water scarcity, soils are fundamental for its appropriate storage and distribution. A healthy life is not possible without healthy soils. At least a quarter of the world’s biodiversity lives underground, where, for example, the earthworm is a giant alongside tiny organisms such as bacteria and fungi. Such organisms, including plant roots, act as the primary agents driving nutrient cycling and help plants by improving nutrient intake, in
Sheryl Stivens
MASTAGARD ASHBURTON
turn supporting above-ground biodiversity as well. Better management of micro-organisms can assure that those usually unnoticed organisms boost soil’s ability to absorb carbon and mitigate desertification, so that even more carbon can be sequestered – helping offset agriculture’s own emissions of greenhouse gases.
Why apply compost? Using quality compost improves soil structure, fertility and general soil health. Healthy soil is essential for healthy plants and landscapes! Compost can do a lot of the hard work for you by increasing the water-holding and nutrient capacity of soil,
Masta-Gardener COMPOST
meaning that less water and fertiliser is required for ongoing maintenance. This can significantly reduce maintenance costs and makes compost a very cost effective option. As compost can improve soil structure, it can also be used to repair problem soils. Using quality compost on lighter soils will improve soil structure and the water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil. This means that plants have access to both water and nutrients for longer periods of time, ensuring better plant growth. Key benefits of compost:
■■ Increases soil organic matter ■■ Reduces nutrient flows into waterways, lakes and coastal waters ■■ Reduces the need for chemical fertilisers ■■ Reduces the need for irrigation ■■ Improved soil structure and fertility ■■ Improves drainage ■■ Improves yields and suppresses disease ■■ Restores and beautifies
Quality compost slow brewed locally in Ashburton by Mastagard from a diversity of green plant materials. Batch tested to ensure quality and ready to apply a generous helping to your gardens or farmland. Pick up from the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park. Range Road, Ashburton.
Affordable prices: Bags $3 - Scoop $15
Enquiries for bulk prices Call 0800 627 824 or email: glen.sole@envirowaste.co.nz
Working with you for a greener tomorrow Specialists in all types of waste removal Frontload bins for General Waste Gantry Skips for Building sites or a home clean up
Call us today on 0800 240 120 | www.envirowaste.co.nz Email: christchurch@envirowaste.co.nz