{"id":10294,"date":"2020-12-10T06:45:21","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T11:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/?p=10294"},"modified":"2021-05-02T16:55:50","modified_gmt":"2021-05-02T20:55:50","slug":"humus-structure-in-the-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Humus Structure In The Garden: Therefore It Affects The Climate Positively"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Anyone who builds humus in the garden contributes to climate protection. We explain how the humus build-up helps to reduce CO2 and how to promote humus in the garden. Soils are huge stores of carbon. They do this by forming a humus layer that consists largely of carbon compounds.<\/p>\n<p>But humus building in gardens and agriculture does not only help the climate by binding CO2. Humus in the garden also promises fertile soil and thus vital plants. Reason enough for us to inform you about humus building in the garden and to inspire you for organic fertilizers and climate-friendly potting soils.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_humus_help_to_absorb_CO2\"><\/span>Why does humus help to absorb CO2?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-661dbe6441a18\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-661dbe6441a18\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/#Why_does_humus_help_to_absorb_CO2\" title=\"Why does humus help to absorb CO2?\">Why does humus help to absorb CO2?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/#What_are_the_consequences_of_humus_depletion\" title=\"What are the consequences of humus depletion?\">What are the consequences of humus depletion?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/#How_to_promote_humus_formation_in_the_garden\" title=\"How to promote humus formation in the garden\">How to promote humus formation in the garden<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/#Use_of_peat-free_or_peat-reduced_planting_soils\" title=\"Use of peat-free or peat-reduced planting soils\">Use of peat-free or peat-reduced planting soils<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/#Organic_fertilization_and_composting_to_build_up_the_humus_layer\" title=\"Organic fertilization and composting to build up the humus layer\">Organic fertilization and composting to build up the humus layer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/humus-structure-in-the-garden\/#Building_humus_in_the_garden_with_the_right_humus_management\" title=\"Building humus in the garden with the right humus management\">Building humus in the garden with the right humus management<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Humus is formed when biomass from plants or animals dies and is decomposed. All these living organisms that can become humus consist largely of carbon. It is therefore possible to store and accumulate carbon in the form of humus in our soils.<\/p>\n<p>Thus biomass becomes fertile humus:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>In the course of photosynthesis, plants fix carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and thus build up their plant bodies.<\/li>\n<li>Herbivores exterminate these plants and take up usable carbon compounds in order to build up body mass from them as well.<\/li>\n<li>Carnivores may eat these herbivores and recycle the carbon for their own use.<\/li>\n<li>If the carnivore &#8211; or the herbivore or the plant &#8211; dies, it is first decomposed by various organisms.<\/li>\n<li>Not everything, but a large part of the carbon bound in the body can be converted by soil organisms to produce humic substances.<\/li>\n<li>Humic substances are the basis for hummus, which makes our soil fertile and productive.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If the formation of humus in the soil is promoted and its decomposition reduced, carbon is continuously transported into the soil, stored there, and thus removed from the atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10295\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/A-man-in-rubber-boots-digs-in-the-ground.jpg\" alt=\"A man in rubber boots digs in the ground\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/A-man-in-rubber-boots-digs-in-the-ground.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/A-man-in-rubber-boots-digs-in-the-ground-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>However, under certain conditions, <a href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/bonsai-soil\/\">humus in the soil<\/a> can also be quickly decomposed again. In this case, the valuable humic substances evaporate into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e4e4c5;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#fefedf;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Expert fact: Worldwide, soils store about 2,400 gigatons (i.e. 2,400,000,000,000 tons) of carbon and thus more than all living plants or other living organisms together &#8211; and also significantly more than the atmosphere contains. Only the sea stores much more carbon: around 38,000 giga-tons. The world&#8217;s oceans should under no circumstances absorb even more carbon, otherwise, they will become even more acidic and the underwater world will become unbalanced. For this reason, our soils are an important key to slowing down climate change.<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_consequences_of_humus_depletion\"><\/span>What are the consequences of humus depletion?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"su-pullquote su-pullquote-align-left\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/using-ash-as-a-fertilizer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How To Correctly Using Ash As A Fertilizer<\/a><\/div>The consequences of humus decomposition are an increase in the CO2 content of the atmosphere and a loss of soil fertility. The humus content of soils is a dynamic variable: Humus is built up and decomposed at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Thus the contents can remain stable, increase or decrease. However, in modern agriculture and in the course of the drainage of moors for peat extraction, more humus tends to decompose and be converted back into carbon dioxide (CO2) than is newly formed. This is a problem because additional CO2 in the atmosphere further promotes climate change.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10296\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/young-plant-in-soil.jpg\" alt=\"young plant-in-soil\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/young-plant-in-soil.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/young-plant-in-soil-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e4e4c5;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#fefedf;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">In addition, the loss of humus is a sad affair for soils: the &#8220;black gold&#8221; serves as an important nutrient and water reservoir, provides a home for several soil organisms, loosens the structure, and prepares an optimal basis for plant growth.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Soils with low humus content produce lower yields because they are simply less fertile.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_promote_humus_formation_in_the_garden\"><\/span>How to promote humus formation in the garden<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you promote the build-up of humus in your own garden, you are doing the environment and yourself a favor. Who does not wish for fertile, healthy soil?<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10297\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mire-landscape.jpg\" alt=\"mire landscape\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mire-landscape.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/mire-landscape-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_of_peat-free_or_peat-reduced_planting_soils\"><\/span>Use of peat-free or peat-reduced planting soils<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A simple and effective start is to use peat-free or peat-reduced potting soil. This is because, despite their small surface area, bogs store about one-third of all carbon close to the ground. Draining them to extract peat releases large quantities of carbon dioxide into the air.<\/p>\n<p>Some responsible earthworks rely on a gentle decomposition, rewetting of the areas, or even cultivation of the moor-forming Sphagnum moss. In this way, moors can be revived and resume their work as a CO2 sink.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Organic_fertilization_and_composting_to_build_up_the_humus_layer\"><\/span>Organic fertilization and composting to build up the humus layer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An equally simple and important step is the conversion to primarily organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers provide your plants with all essential nutrients and trace elements over a long period of time. At the same time, they care for the soil and soil life so that humus formation is promoted.<\/p>\n<p>A particularly economical way to produce humus is to purchase your own composter. In this composter, your organic waste is transformed into a valuable fertilizer and soil conditioner at a low cost &#8211; you just have to be patient. You can even mix your own compost &#8211; we will be happy to show you how.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10299\" src=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/gardener-digs-the-ground.jpg\" alt=\"gardener digs the ground\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/gardener-digs-the-ground.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/gardener-digs-the-ground-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_humus_in_the_garden_with_the_right_humus_management\"><\/span>Building humus in the garden with the right humus management<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In our special article on humus management, we explain in detail how humus is built up. There you will learn about the influence of soil growth, nutrient supply, and cultivation on the humus content of your soil.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Summary: How to promote humus building in the garden?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use peat-free or peat-reduced potting soil<\/li>\n<li>Mainly use organic fertilizers<\/li>\n<li>Produce your own compost<\/li>\n<li>Enrich humus with the right humus management in the soil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anyone who builds humus in the garden contributes to climate protection. We explain how the humus build-up helps to reduce CO2 and how to promote humus in the garden. Soils are huge stores of carbon. They do this by forming a humus layer that consists largely of carbon compounds. But humus building in gardens and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[552],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10294"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10294\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardender.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}