A Series of Lectures By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK , Provincial Project Director CMP II MINFAl Islamabad and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan

2. Kitchen Gardening ( Soil Required)
A Series of Lectures
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan
Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK ,
Provincial Project Director CMP II MINFAl
Islamabad and Visiting Professor the
University of Agriculture Peshawar
Pakistan

3. “Too many people have
lost sight of the fact that
productive soil is
essential to the
production of food.”
“Take care of the land and
the land will take care of
you.…”
– Hugh Hammond Bennett
Hugh Hammond Bennett, the
father of soil conservation
He was the head of the Soil
Erosion Service when it was
formed in 1933 in response to
the Dust Bowl. Bennett was
one of the first people to identify
poor farming practices as the
cause of the dust storms, and to
formulate a plan for soil
conservation.

4. Dust buried farms and equipment,
killed livestock, and caused human
death and misery during the height of
the Dust Bowl years.
In: "Monthly Weather Review," June
1936, p.196. (NOAA Photo Library)

5. "Manhandled Land -
fertile soil goes off by
carload lots."
A common site during
the Dust Bowl. The
erosion in this picture
was more an effect of
poor farming practice
than drought, though. In:
"To Hold This Soil",
Russell Lord, 1938.
Miscellaneous
Publication No. 321,
U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
(NOAA Photo Library)

6. What is Soil Texture?

7. Why Does Soil Texture Matter?
Determines
soil pore
space
Soil
Texture
Determines
soil drainage
Determines
aeration
Influences nutrient
holding capacity
(CEC)
Affects soil
workability
HOW?

8. Soil Textural Triangle

9. Soil-less Media…
 Major Components
 Peat Moss
 Perlite
 Vermiculite
 Other Components
 Sand
 Bark
 Lime
 Wetting agents - hydrophilic polymer
 Fertilizer

10. Peat Moss Perlite Vermiculite
How Is It
Made?
- Partially decomposted
remains of plants/animals
(mostly sphagnum moss)
that accumulated in
oxygen-poor freshwater
- Environmental concerns
about habitat destruction
- Volcanic material
expanded to 13x its
original volume when
heated to 1700F (think
popcorn)
- Clay mineral exposed
to intense heat,
causing the clay layers
to expand into
accordion-shaped
granules
- Hydrated Al-Fe-Mg
silicates; very similar to
mica
What does
it do?
- Provides organic matter
for retention of nutrients
and water
- Large surface area
-Improves aeration &
drainage
- Forms macropores
- Acts as soil insulator
- Particles provide
space for water, air,
and nutrients
- Improves aeration &
drainage
Water
retention?
______________its weight _____________ its
weight
_________________
From
Where ?
Canada, Northern Europe
(Scotland!)
Open pit mining in many
countries
Mined in many
countries
Sterile? ___________ yes yes
pH? Very acidic 6.5 – 7.5 6.5 – 7.2

11. Digging Peat in Scotland

12. Perlite
Perlite Mine in New Mexico

13. Vermiculite
Mining Vermiculite in
South Africa

14. Soil-less Media:
Typical Commercial Mix
Typical Commercial Mix
 1/3 coarse peat moss
 1/3 perlite
 1/3 vermiculite
 3 lbs complete fertilizer (5-10-5)
 7 lbs dolomitic limestone
 Wetting agent

15. Soil-less Media:
An Organic Alternative
An Organic Alternative
 1/3 Peat Moss
 1/3 Perlite
 1/3 Vermiculite
 5 lbs composted manure
 1 lb bone meal
 1 lb green sand
 7 lbs dolomitic limestone

16. Soil-less Media:
Mix Without Peat Moss
 Replace peat moss 1:1, but
reduce limestone
 Coir or coconut husks in
potting mixes
 Composted, fine grade wood
shavings
 Or Try 1 part composted
green waste: 1 part coir