Soil Amendment
/SOYL uh-MEND-ment/🪨 Soil Types● Basic
Also known as: soil conditioner, amendment
Substances added to soil to improve its structure, drainage, water retention, nutrient content, or pH. Organic amendments (compost, peat, bark) decompose over time and improve soil biology. Inorganic amendments (perlite, vermiculite, gypsum, lime, sulfur) provide immediate physical or chemical changes.
Etymology
Latin solum (soil) + emendare (to correct, improve)
Example
“Incorporate 3-4 inches of compost as a soil amendment before planting to improve drainage in heavy clay.”