Soil Amendments
A soil amendment is any material added to soil in order to improve its physical properties. Soil properties will involve water retention, degree of permeability, potential for water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure. The main objective is to provide a better environment for plant roots to grow. It has to be noted that soil amendment is not the same thing as mulching, although many mulches also are used as amendments. A mulch is very much left on the soil surface and its purpose is to reduce evaporation and water runoff, reduce weed growth, and improve the asthetics. Mulches also helps in moderating soil temperature, helping to cool warm soils in hot weather and provide warm during cold season. Mulches may be incorporated into the soil as amendments after they have decomposed to the point that they no longer serve their purpose.