Soil Types andHydroponics Materials

Organic Matter

Compost Composting is the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance

Bark Particles are too large to use in seed germination media

Mulch Used to cover soil to help hold moisture, prevent weeds, etc.

Straw Used to help prevent erosion.

Organic Matter

Peat Moss Absorbs water and air like a sponge.

Sphagnum Like peat moss but found on the top of a bog.

Saw Dust High carbon to nitrogen ratio makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use.

Wood shavings

High carbon to nitrogen ratio makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use.

Inorganic Compounds

Soil less Media

Artificial soil

Vermiculite Mica mineral matter used to start seeds and cuttings, helps hold moisture, has neutral pH.

Perlite Natural volcanic material that helps aeration and water-holding capacity

Hydroponics

Aggregate culture

Using sand or gravel to support plant roots

Water culture

Plant roots grow in water containing dissolved nutrients

Aeroponics Plant roots hang in air and are misted regularly with a nutrient solution

Continuous-flow system

Nutrient solution flows constantly over plant roots, most commonly used for commercial production

Resources http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthknd/compost/slide12a.1.gif http://vegweb.com/composting/ http://www.sites.onlinemac.com/bioreclaim/images/3-4%20inch%20bark

.jpg http://www.creeksidesoils.com/gold_mulch.htm http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/faculty/xie/straw/baled-straw.jpg http://www.mosserlee.com/img/whatis2.jpg http://www.snakeroot.net/farm/pix/MulchAtEdgeGH3.jpg http://www.foxridgehorse.com/shavingscan.jpg http://www.naturalsolutionsetc.com/jpeg/pond_soilless.jpg http://www.myjanee.com/gallery/textures/vermiculite.jpg http://www.mycotopia.net/teks/perlite.jpg http://www.co.vermilion.il.us/Wilderness/gravel.jpg http://www.hydroponics-resource.com/aerospring_roots.jpg http://www.insidesun.com/images/products/ASQ215-th.jpg