2 minute read
Temperature in Organic Grows
Whether you’re gardening indoors or outdoors, the temperature can have a profound impact on the quality and quantity of the produce you grow. When growing in the dirt, there is a complicated interplay between the plant, soil, and the environment.
Temperature is a significant factor in the success of organic living-soil type growing, as it directly governs how active the microbes responsible for mineralizing organic nutrients are. Without these microbes, the nutrients in the soil are mostly unavailable to plants. It also alters the balance of bacteria and fungi present, as different species thrive at varying ranges than others.
In general, higher temperatures favor bacterial growth, whereas fungi seem to be better suited for lower temperatures. The balance for coexistence has been demonstrated in studies to be between 20°C (68°F) and 35°C (95°F) for most crops. Too far south or north of these numbers can shift the balance toward either bacterial or fungal dominance. This alters the type and quality of nutrient solubilization occurring.
The temperature range of 20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F) is where beneficial microflora is most active and making the most useful compounds for a garden. As the mercury dips, everything slows to a crawl. Similarly, when we look at temperatures outside the upper limits, conditions can start to favor the development of pathogens. As the temperature rises into the more extreme levels, it hits an unsustainable tipping point, causing a collapse of certain species, and subsequently, less desirable types can takeover.
Bacterial growth can occur at reasonable levels in temperature ranges of 0°C (32°F) to 45°C (113°F). Fungal growth doesn’t have as high a threshold, topping out at 40°C (104°F), but it can develop further below zero by a significant margin.
For a thriving garden, it is essential to control the climate and find ways to shield the soil from the heat in tropical locations and trap the warmth in colder ones.
Simple changes can be effective at mitigating many problems. Reflective materials can be applied to plant pots to redirect heat away, or fabric pots can be used for the evaporative, cooling effect they provide. Paying careful attention to watering and employing the use of natural wetting agents such as Yucca extract or Soapnut can also be beneficial. Colder temperatures are more challenging to tackle. Still, by applying insulating layers, or employing solutions such as heat mats and buried heat cords, optimal conditions can be maintained year-round. The use of compost teas and liquid organic fertilizers is also excellent in colder climates to make sure plants are getting what they need, even when the microbes are sluggish.
By working to maintain a stable environment from start to finish, we can provide the ultimate environment for microbial life to flourish and feed our plants. The key to reaping significant benefits in the garden is consistency and attention to detail.
BY CODY J GARRETT - TAIT
