Building humus means supplying the soil with more organic matter over the years than is broken down. That works through cover crops, crop residues, manure and compost, a wide rotation and gentle tillage. It is a permanent task.
What humus does in the soil
- It holds several times its own weight in water.
- It binds nutrients and releases them gradually.
- It binds soil particles into crumbs. Rain soaks in, and the surface slakes less.
- It is the food of soil life.
- It is lost when more is removed than returned over the years, and with very intensive tillage.
Building humus: the measures
Measure first
Humus content is stated in the lab report of the soil analysis. Measuring it every few years at the same spot shows whether the measures are working.
Cover crops and undersown crops
They bring roots and green matter into the soil and keep it covered. A planted soil loses less humus than a bare one.
Leave crop residues on the field
Straw and root residues are the simplest supply of organic matter.
Manure, compost and digestate
Organic fertilisers bring carbon onto the field. How much of it stays in the soil depends on the material: compost and manure contribute more to humus than liquid manures.
Widen the rotation
Clover-grass, lucerne and other perennial forage crops build humus. Root and row crops such as potatoes, beet and corn deplete it. What counts is the mix over the years.
Till gently
Every deep, intensive pass brings air into the soil and speeds up breakdown. Fewer passes and shallower tillage protect the humus.
Keep pH in range
Soil life only works well in a suitable pH range. Liming according to the analysis is therefore part of it.
Read more: Soil improvement · Improving sandy soil · Improving heavy clay soil
Stable humus at once: what PowerGelee brings
Building humus through cover crops, rotation and manure only shows in the lab report after years. The dry summers come before that. PowerGelee is a water-storing granule with high-quality active soil conditioners for conventional agriculture. Every blend contains stable humus that is available immediately. It is in the root zone from day one and does not have to form over years first. In addition, the granule holds water and dissolved nutrients from the first rain.
The measures above remain worthwhile: they feed soil life and keep the humus in the soil. The blend follows your soil analysis, is worked into the root zone once, about 150 kg per hectare on average, and has a half-life of about 5 years. We do not give a yield guarantee.
More on water-storing granules · View the products
What this brings the farm: time and money
A soil that holds water and nutrients needs less topping up. You go out less often to supply water and nutrients. Those are tractor hours, diesel and machine wear you save. On top of that come more evenly supplied stands that get through dry weeks better. See field comparisons · Testimonials
If you have a lab report of your soil sample, you can upload it to us. We tell you without obligation what your soil lacks and which blend suits it. We deliver to Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland, and to other countries on request.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build humus?
Through cover crops, rotation and manure it takes years. A measurable change in the lab report usually only shows after several years. It is faster with stable humus worked straight into the root zone, as contained in every PowerGelee blend.
What builds humus best?
Several measures together: perennial forage such as clover-grass in the rotation, cover crops, crop residues left on the field, and manure or compost. A single measure is rarely enough.
How do I recognise that the soil lacks humus?
The soil is pale, slakes after rain, dries out quickly and does not crumble well. Certainty comes from the humus content in the soil analysis.
Can humus also be put straight into the soil?
Yes. Every PowerGelee blend contains stable humus that is available immediately, along with water-storing granules and further high-quality active soil conditioners. Cover crops, crop residues and manure remain worthwhile because they feed soil life.
Current soil moisture data
Two public services show how dry the soil currently is in Germany:
- German Drought Monitor, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ): drought status of topsoil and total soil, updated daily
- Soil moisture viewer, German Meteorological Service (DWD): soil moisture by crop, soil type and depth (in German)