The primary role of soil suppliers is to provide healthy and productive soil to their clients. Such soils need to fuel the growth of plants in noticeable yields. However, the work of a soil supplier is not as simple as many people think.

Finding high-quality soil is becoming more challenging by the day due to changes in climate and the high demand that present-day crops need to produce significant yields. Here are some of the common challenges that soil suppliers face in their industry.

Dry soil

A common issue with soil that is supplied is that it is too dry. Soils such as sandy soils tend to retain minimal water and nutrients, and can be difficult for crops to grow on. Soil suppliers who deal with dry soils are therefore faced with the challenge of making these soils more water-retentive and nutrient-rich.

A common solution is to add compost to the soil so it can become more effective for growing plants. Mature compost should be used in the soil so that the crops will not be deprived of any nutrients.

Wet soil

Soil that is too wet is also a challenge for soil suppliers. For example, clay or soggy soils tend to retain too much water due to the minimal air spaces present between their particles. Soil suppliers dealing with wet soils need to find a way to aerate the soil and allow for better drainage.

Crops will need to have their roots penetrate freely into the soil so they can take up water and nutrients. To aerate the soil, most soil suppliers will add a combination of sand, compost and pea gravel to spread out the particles and allow air to pass through.

Acidic soil

Soil suppliers may sometimes need to source their soil from high rainfall areas, areas with poor drainage, or areas where nitrogen content is high. Acidic soils also have a low pH and make it challenging for crops to take up a proper balance of nutrients that promote an even growth.

Acidic soils can be fixed by adding a basic material such as wood ash or dolomitic lime. These materials add potassium to nitrogen-rich soils and maintain a healthy balance of nutrients. 

Lifeless soil

In some cases, soil suppliers can only get their soil from areas where farming has been excessively carried out. In such cases, the soil tends to be devoid of organic matter that is critical to the healthy growth of crops.

To fix this lifeless soil, soil suppliers will typically add nutrient-rich compost that can decompose and promote the growth of useful microorganisms in the soil.