If there’s one thing that can transform your soil, boost plant health, and improve water retention, it’s organic matter. Whether you’re growing vegetables, trees, pasture grass, or ornamentals, building soil organic matter is one of the best things you can do for long-term success.
But what exactly is organic matter, and why does it matter so much? Let’s break it down.
What Is Organic Matter?
Organic matter refers to any plant or animal material that has decomposed into the soil. It includes:
✅ Decomposing plant material (leaves, stems, roots)
✅ Compost (broken-down organic waste)
✅ Manure (from animals like cows, chickens, or worms)
✅ Microbial byproducts (“waste” from bacteria and fungi)
As organic matter breaks down, it turns into humus, a stable form of carbon-rich material that gives healthy soil its dark, rich color. Delving into humus is a topic for another time…it’s complicated!
Why Does Organic Matter Matter?
Adding organic matter supercharges your soil by improving:
1️⃣ Water Retention & Drought Resistance
💧Healthy soil holds more water! Just a 1% increase in soil organic matter can store up to 20,000 more gallons of water per acre. This helps plants survive droughts and reduces your need for irrigation.
2️⃣ Nutrient Storage & Availability
🌱 Organic matter has a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and can stores essential nutrients like calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) and slowly releases them to plants as they grow.
3️⃣ Soil Structure & Aeration
🛠️ Organic matter provides a suitable structure to soil, allowing roots to penetrate deeper. It also improves drainage in clay soils while helping sandy soils retain moisture.
4️⃣ Microbial Life & Soil Food Web
🦠 The more organic matter you have, the more soil microorganisms thrive in your soil. Microbes break down organic matter into plant-available nutrients, improving soil health naturally.
5️⃣ Carbon Sequestration & Climate Benefits
🌍 Organic matter helps to store carbon in the soil AND cycle carbon. By adding compost and cover crops, and having large and healthy plant root systems, you’re building soil health while helping the planet.
How to Increase Organic Matter in Your Soil
🔹 Apply Compost Regularly – Use high-quality compost to feed soil microbes and improve structure.
🔹 Grow Cover Crops – Plants like clover, vetch, and rye add biomass, both above and below ground, and prevent erosion.
🔹 Leave Plant Residues in Place – If possible, instead of pulling plants out at the end of the season, cut the above-ground portion off and let their roots break down in the soil.
🔹 Add Mulch & Organic Materials – Leaves, straw, wood chips, and grass clippings all contribute to organic matter as they decompose.
🔹 Avoid Over-Tilling – Tilling speeds up the breakdown of organic matter and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Start Building Organic Matter Today!
If you want healthier plants, better soil structure, and improved water retention, focus on adding organic matter. Over time, your soil will become richer, more resilient, and self-sustaining—leading to stronger crops, healthier gardens, and more productive land.
Have you seen the benefits of adding organic matter to your soil? Share your experience in the comments! ⬇️