The Black Soil That Doubles Your Harvest

The concept of “black soil” can be a head-scratcher to some but it’s an accurate definition of a soil type with unique characteristics. It actually has some obscure names like “chernozem” and “regur.” Odd names for good dirt.

So, What’s Up with Black Soil?

Think of it as the perfect dirt. It has high concentrations of organic matter (typically from a compost heap), some clay content to help retain water, and nutrient packed with calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. A lot of that good stuff comes from the addition of wood ash to a compost heap so don’t forget to save those ashes. And speaking of clay, did you know that you can also use it to make your own garden containers? I tried it using the instructions from here and honestly, they’ve been a real helping hand on my homestead.

It’s essentially a formula for the perfect soil. It’s actually found naturally across the great plains of North America and parts of India and Russia. But for those of us who don’t happen to live in those regions we can make our own. As you would suspect, it starts with a compost heap and some added ingredients.

The Black Soil Formula

This isn’t rocket science. If you have any experience with composting this will all come together fairly quickly. It just takes a little time for everything to decompose and the usual mixing of all of the stuff. Here’s the standard recipe:

Kitchen scraps (vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells)
Yard waste (grass clippings, weeds, dried leaves)
Cardboard or newspaper (shredded)
Garden soil (as a base – it’s just some dirt)
Wood ash (great as an alkaline neutralizer)
Water the heap like a potted plant (to maintain moisture)

>> Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away Ash and What You Should Do with It Instead <<

Toss and turn it every couple of weeks. It’s a basic composting technique but the addition of that dirt is important. It adds the microbes and elements to make this all happen. Use it as the base layer and try to layer it throughout the pile.

Another recommendation is to add more brown leaves than green. Grass clippings are fine but dry, brown leaves or plants should be the dominant addition.

The Worm Boost

There’s a concept known as vermiculture. It’s the addition of red worms or red wigglers to a compost heap to accelerate decomposition and they add their worm tailings or droppings to the mix. It supercharges the black soil, and they reproduce and thrive in a healthy compost mix. Earthworms can also work but the red wigglers are the vermicomposting champs. You can easily buy them at a bait and fishing tackle shop or order them online.

In a healthy heap the worms will reproduce and can be added to the garden as you harvest the black soil. They will help aerate the ground and continue to contribute the worm tailings.

Coverup

It’s wise to keep your compost heap covered with a tarp or lid. Moisture helps to fuel composting and keep things decomposing. Remember to keep it watered as well. You can leave it exposed on rainy days but the cover will help; retain the moisture and protect the worms if you have added them.

Related: How to Build a Small Self-Sufficient Greenhouse for a Year-Round Harvest

Don’t Overdo it with Tossing and Turning

If you have worms at work you can let them do the aerating. It’s tempting to turn a compost heap a lot, but it actually only needs that once every couple of weeks.

Wait for the Black

Eventually your compost heap will turn to the black soil color you’re trying to achieve. It could take months but it’s worth the wait.

From the Heap to the Garden

Regardless of the size of your garden, anything you plant in your super black soil will thrive. It’s an exceptional bed for root vegetables and just about anything else you plant. Remember to add more black soil as a top dressing as the season goes on and add liberally for succession planting for fast growing vegetables like radishes and lettuce.

And in case you’re wondering, here are some vegetables that grow particularly well in our black soil:

Legumes

Peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans do especially well in black soil. These crops aren’t just productive; they also enrich the ground with nitrogen, boosting long-term fertility and setting up your soil for seasons to come.

Oilseeds & Fiber Crops

Sunflowers, peanuts, and sesame all flourish in this type of soil, showing just how versatile it can be beyond traditional vegetables.

Vegetables

Tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, onions, spinach, and cabbage grow beautifully here. Thanks to the soil’s natural ability to hold both moisture and nutrients, these crops thrive without much extra effort.

Fruits

Black soil supports a wide variety of fruit trees and vines. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, along with bananas, grapes, melons, apples, and plums, all perform well—especially in areas where drainage is balanced.

Medicinal Herbs

Many of your favorite medicinal herbs will also flourish in black soil. Chamomile, yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, and peppermint all benefit from the nutrient-rich environment, producing more robust leaves, flowers, and roots. Herbs like basil and lemon balm will grow quickly and full-bodied, while drought-tolerant herbs like rosemary or sage may need a little sand or grit added for optimal growth.

I found a great kit with 4,818 high-quality, NON-GMO seeds packaged in the US, that you can turn into hundreds of powerful natural remedies without spending a dime at the pharmacy anymore. It contains one plant for every part of your body – you’ll find a painkiller, an anti-inflammatory, an anti-parasitic, and even some plants that can help people with diabetes and autoimmune disorders. It’s called the Medicinal Garden Kit and you can find it here. But you might wanna hurry, cause it’s that good it’s usually sold out.

Spices & Others

Even crops like chillies, turmeric, and garlic find an ideal home in this rich, dark earth.

Keep it Going

Composting is an all year process and so is succession planting. A lot depends on where you live but if you want to get the best out of your garden that black soil can make all the difference.

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