Organic matter is the main ingredient for healthy, fertile soil. If your garden or lawn does not have some good organic matter, it may not produce well.  It is a good idea to add some source of organic matter every year to your soil.

Good sources are composted cow manure, leaves, old sawdust, straw, and grass cuttings.  My husband told me, when I was complaining about the Lovebugs, that the Lovebugs contributed to making organic matter.  

Another good way of adding to your soil health is by planting cover crops.  Vetch, peas, ryegrass and clovers are good cover crops.  You can till them into your garden when you get ready to plant in the spring.  We sell a large bag of soil that is a great way of helping the organic matter for your beds or garden. It is called Super Soil.  It is a premium soil blend designed to promote healthy root growth, improve drainage, and rejuvenate your lawn or garden.  Some have purchased it for the above ground beds also.  Super Soil is made up of 1/3 Red River sand, 1/3 mature stable balanced compost, and 1/3 manure compost(cow, chicken, and horse).  It weighs 2200 lbs.  My husband, Randy, took some home to just fill in places in the yard that needed a little boost.  

Say some prayers for rain this week.  It looks like everything is burn up around our community, besides being so hot.  Fall weather cannot get here quickly enough.  Have a good week!

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)