Humus soil or humus soil is an important prerequisite for the thriving of strong and healthy plants. But what is hummus? We explain.

In a nutshell

  • Humus is organic, dead material
  • the substrate consists of one part humus and one part potting soil
  • the term roughly means “earth”
  • good humus soil can store a lot of water and large amounts of nutrients
  • Humus soil has a pleasant smell and is slightly crumbly

What is hummus soil?

Humus soil is a mixture of equal parts humus and potting soil. Humus itself is rotted, organic material. So compost serves as the basis for hummus. This represents the top layer of the soil and is also formed, for example, by leaves, dying plant parts, dried blades of grass and insects as well as microorganisms in the substrate.

properties

Humus soil has various positive properties. Below:

  • pleasant smell
  • fine, crumbly and loose structure
  • high moisture content
  • high nutrient content

Notice: When selecting high-quality humus soil, care should be taken to ensure that it is peat-free. This protects the environment.

humus species

Humus is divided into different types.

  • permanent humus: This form is the part of the substrate that is created in the last step of composting. It is the largest part of the upper layer of the earth and is responsible for binding nutrients and water.
  • Garbage: This form of humus consists of substances that are easily and quickly decomposed. Among them are, for example, leaves as well as vegetable and fruit residues. Ground-burrowing insects feed on it and use this layer as a habitat.
  • Moderate: Strictly speaking, moder is a combination of gauze and raw humus. It therefore combines the advantages of both substances and provides plants with nutrients in a sustainable manner.
nutrient humus
  • nutrient humus: Similar to gauze, these are substances that can be broken down and decomposed in a comparatively short time. They serve as food for organisms in the soil, such as worms. On the one hand, the soil is very well aerated and loosened due to its function as a food source and the activity of the organisms. On the other hand, it forms the basis for the development and formation of permanent humus.
  • raw humus: The variant consists of organic substances that are difficult and slow to decompose, such as twigs, branches and litter. Due to the slow processes, the raw humus serves as a natural fertilizer in the long term, as nutrients are released again and again - over a long period of time.

Humus soil and humus soil

The difference between soil with humus and a pure humus substrate lies in the exact composition. Mixtures that contain only a small proportion of humus can also be referred to as humus soil. A real humus soil, on the other hand, consists of pure humus and several layers. Which choice is better depends on the requirements of the respective plant.

Signs of good quality soil

A high-quality substrate should meet a number of requirements so that it provides the optimal basis for healthy growth. Knowing this helps when choosing ready-made soil from the trade, but can also make it easier to put together the substrate yourself.
The factors are:

  • a pleasant, fresh and subtle earthy smell
  • slight moisture
  • loose consistency
  • organic substances with different decomposition times
  • peat free
  • different sized components

frequently asked Questions

Why should hummus soil be peat-free?

The extraction of peat is a heavy burden on the environment. In addition, the natural substance is an unsuitable choice for some plants. Good alternatives are coconut fibers or perlite.

What if the humus smells unpleasant?

In this case it should not be used. Well-made compost and the resulting humus only gives off an intense and unpleasant odor if it is mouldy, rotten or has not yet fully decomposed and is therefore unsuitable.

What does "humus rich" soil mean?

Commercially available humus soil usually consists partly of potting soil and partly of humus. For plants that need particularly humus-rich soil, it is better to choose two parts humus and one part potting soil.

Category:

Garden maintenance