Soil activator is a natural freshness treatment for exhausted, exhausted soil. An organic wake-up call sounds for vital organisms in the bed soil. Your plants benefit from this with vital, healthy growth. In this guide you can read everything you need to know about soil activators with practical tips on how to use them correctly in beds and lawns.

A soil activator rebuilds lifeless soil

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. What is soil activator?
  3. Soil activator application
  4. Soil activator or fertilizer?
  5. Soil activator for lawns
  6. products and retailers
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • A soil activator improves depleted soils by mobilizing depleted microorganisms and living beings. This promotes soil fertility and humus formation for vital plant growth.
    • Good soil activator products only contain organic ingredients and natural minerals.
    • Oscorna floor activator 25 kg is the test winner in terms of benefits, experience and value for money.

    What is soil activator

    A soil activator helps to create a healthy soil

    Soil activator is an organic soil conditioner with a slight fertilizing effect. A wide range of influencing factors throw the natural cycle off track in the soil. Construction work, monoculture or heavy rain compact the soil and drive away indispensable soil organisms. The fatal consequence is a biologically doomed garden soil, in which humus production has come to a standstill. Because healthy plants only grow in healthy soil, there is a loud call for a problem solver.

    This task is fulfilled by a soil activator in the form of granules with a high proportion of purely natural ingredients. The Oscorna floor activator is responsible for this. For more than 80 years, the company has been putting its products in the service of natural floor care that consistently does without artificial, chemical additives. These efforts culminated in 1985 with the development of the first soil activator. The manifold benefits are obvious:

    • permanent soil fertility: ideal combination of organic substances and natural minerals
    • active soil life: increased number of microorganisms and earthworms
    • improved soil structure: crumbly, airy, loose, well-drained soil without risk of waterlogging
    • regenerated water and nutrient balance: better storage of water, optimal binding of nutrients
    • stable pH: contained algae lime prevents fluctuations in the pH value

    With a soil activator you can restore the natural cycle in the soil. They enable soil life to produce new, nutritious humus for splendid plant growth.

    composition in detail

    A soil activator consists largely of compost

    Various manufacturers offer soil activator products that do not differ significantly in terms of composition. The main components are botanicals with valuable supplements on board to naturally revitalize a tired floor:

    • 65% organic substances: compost, biochar, clay particles, algae lime, ground mineral rock (basalt flour, zeolite, dolomite powder)
    • 1-4% nitrogen from organic matter such as cocoa shells, coconut, hoof meal, grape seeds
    • 1-3% phosphorus for better crumbling and oxygenation
    • 0.5-5% potassium to strengthen cell tissue, for better water absorption, lush green leaves and juicy fruits

    In addition, high-quality soil activator products have dormant microorganisms with them, such as Azotobacter bacteria. These and other strains of bacteria have the ingenious ability to make insoluble nutrients in the soil available to plants. In the ground, the inactive helpers wake up and supplement existing life. With a growing population, the humus production increases and a formerly exhausted soil becomes lively again.

    Only put into the soil what an earthworm can digest (manufacturer's guideline for Oscorna Soil Activator)

    How to use soil activator?

    The competent use of a soil activator is closely related to the crop in question and the occasion. The following table provides an overview:

    culture/occasion dosage
    soil improvement 150-200gsm
    vegetables
    - Leafy vegetables 100-150 gsm
    - fruit vegetables 150-200gsm
    fruit 100-200gsm
    perennials, flowers 100-150 gsm
    ornamental shrubs 200-300gsm
    conifers 150-250gsm
    hedge 200 g/linear m
    lawn 100-200gsm

    When planting trees and shrubs in the garden or park, a soil activator provides ideal starting conditions. Add 100 to 200 granules per 10 liters of soil in each planting hole.

    Soil activator application

    Soil activator is best applied in late winter/early spring

    When you apply soil activator is basically your gardening decision. The best time for natural soil improvement is in spring from March. The time window remains open until October. As long as the ground is not frozen, there is nothing wrong with using a soil activator. If the gardening season ends with a warm Indian summer, the weather can be sufficiently mild until December. The application itself is very simple, as the following instructions make clear:

    1. Rake soil, pull weeds, remove roots and stones
    2. Spread the soil activator by hand or with a spreader
    3. Work into the topsoil with a rake or rake
    4. water the surface

    If the soil improvement is aimed at sowing in the flower or vegetable bed, we recommend sifting the garden soil in advance. Lawn application requires a modified approach which will be detailed in a later section.

    Take care in the bog bed

    When ericaceous plants falter, a calcareous soil activator is out of place. Most soil organisms prefer bedding soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.5 and 7.0. For this reason, many products contain algae lime or a comparable additive. In the bog bed, on the other hand, pH values between 4.5 and 5.5 are required, which skyrocket even with small amounts of lime. In this case, use a soil activator without lime, such as Neudorff Terra Preta.

    tips

    With a soil activator you prepare the soil for roses optimally. So that the queen of flowers unfolds into lavish blooms, sprinkle Oscorna soil activator on the soil 4 to 6 weeks before planting, rake in the pellets and water with a fine spray. From now on, give a dose of soil activator every spring when you prune your roses.

    Soil activator or fertilizer?

    A soil activator doesn't last forever; natural fertilization must follow

    The natural ingredients in the soil activator serve as the primary food source for soil organisms. Of course, this supply will not last forever. Without replenishment of organic fertilizer, the vitalizing effect ultimately comes to nothing due to food shortages for earthworms, isopods and colleagues. Hobby gardeners are therefore not faced with the question of soil activator or fertilizer? Rather, a combination of both components guarantees a healthy soil full of life. The following fertilizers form a powerful dream team with soil activators:

    • Compost, ideally as mature, sieved compost soil
    • Organic-based fertilizers such as horn shavings, horn meal, horse or cattle manure in the form of pellets
    • Plant manure, primarily self-made nettle manure
    • Mulch, preferably dried grass clippings, leaves, bark mulch
    • Green manure, for example lupins, red clover, mustard, buckwheat, legumes or bee friend

    The soil activator provided the starting aid. The stimulated soil life throws itself enthusiastically at the organic nutrient buffet and processes it into rich hummus. Now the released nutrients are available to the ornamental and useful plants for the desired growth.

    digression

    Neudorff soil activator Terra Preta

    The Neudorff company is breaking new ground with its Terra Preta soil activator. The composition consists mainly of thermally produced vegetable charcoal, based on the model of the legendary "black Indian soil", supplemented with rock flour, microorganisms, soil fungi and organic ingredients. The biochar loosens the soil, stores water and nutrients. Microorganisms and soil fungi stimulate soil life so that nutrients become available for the plants. The modified ingredients compared to Oscorna soil activator have proven to be just as effective in gardening practice, with a significant improvement in soil quality.

    Special case: Soil activator for lawns

    There is a special soil activator for lawns

    If you regularly use the constellation of soil activator and organic fertilizer, the supply gap in the soil will close over time and the soil activator can be eliminated. This does not apply to your green business card. Lawn is a pure monoculture that loses organic matter with each mowing, which should actually be available for soil care. If you don't use a mulching mower, a soil activator is a tried and tested means for a lush green lawn area without moss and thatch. The following instructions explain step by step how to do it right:

    1. mow the lawn deep
    2. Scarify the green area lengthwise and crosswise
    3. brush off the combed out lawn thatch
    4. Spread the soil activator evenly with a spreader (200 g/m²)
    5. optionally apply soil activator and fertilizer at the same time
    6. Water the lawn and do not mow for at least 1 week

    Soil activator and lawn fertilizer are not only compatible, they complement each other. For best effectiveness, the lawn should always be watered afterwards. In dry weather, repeat watering on the following days until no more granules can be seen.

    Products and dealers - overview

    The Oscorna soil activator set a good example. Competent manufacturers took up the concept with their own soil activator products. A lot has happened on the market since the first floor activator from Oscorna more than 30 years ago. We looked around looking for recommended products and retailers:

    Products price dealer
    Oscorna soil activator from 1.28 EUR/kg obi
    Cuxin soil activator from 1.40 EUR/kg toom
    Neudorff Terra Petra from 1.30 EUR/kg Hornbach
    Keyser's soil activator from 7.90 EUR/kg QVC
    Dehner organic soil activator from 3.25 EUR/kg stretcher
    Emiko soil activator liquid from 5.00 EUR/l Amazon
    Compo Bio Soil Activator from 1.30 EUR/kg eBay
    EM soil activator liquid from 6.83 EUR/l Raiffeisen markets
    AZET lawn soil activator from 2.00 EUR/kg
    MANNA soil activator from 1.40 EUR/kg

    Please note that this overview does not claim to be complete. Three products are out of the ordinary. The Cuxin soil activator, because the product does not have a purely biological composition. Furthermore, the price of the Keyzers soil activator from QVC exceeds all other products many times over. Aldi's soil activator can be bought sporadically in spring, mostly in April.

    frequently asked Questions

    Which soil activator is good in the test?

    A bio soil activator is a good choice

    There are two products that go head-to-head in the soil activator test every year. Oscorna soil activator was last in 2022, closely followed by Neudorff Terra Preta soil activator. Customer experience, effectiveness, distributability, benefit and value for money were evaluated. Test winner on points was and is Oscorna Floor Activator 25 kg. The liquid Emiko garden and soil activator and the Cuxin soil activator follow in the other places. However, the latter does not deserve the predicate organic due to chemical and mineral additives.

    When should you use a soil activator?

    The natural soil additive scores with a wide range of possible uses. A soil activator is highly recommended as a starting aid when laying out a new garden and lawn as well as when planting and sowing in beds or planters. The product promises high utility value as a problem solver for general soil improvement if your plants are struggling or the lawn is matted with moss and weeds.

    Can soil activator and fertilizer be used at the same time?

    Soil activator and fertilizer get along very well in garden soil. In fact, both products complement each other and form a congenial duo. Because the soil activator contains only a small proportion of natural fertilizers, the reserves for soil life are quickly used up. For this reason, it makes sense to apply soil activator and organic fertilizer at the same time.

    How often should you use a soil activator in the garden?

    You can use a soil activator either before, during or after tillage. When you create and plant new beds or lawns, the soil conditioner should be within reach, as well as for later care work between perennials, flowers and woody plants as well as on green areas. One to two applications per year are recommended, ideally between March and October.

    Do you always have to scarify the lawn or can you spread a soil activator immediately?

    You can apply a soil activator all year round. If you plan to scarify a moss-covered lawn anyway, please spread the lawn soil activator afterwards. Otherwise the valuable granulate will be involuntarily removed. Scarifying the lawn is of course not obligatory every year. For this reason, you can easily spread a soil activator on the freshly mown lawn and sprinkle it with rain.

    Should a soil activator be applied to the vegetable patch before or after fertilizing?

    The application of soil activators is not tied to a strict schedule. You can spread the natural soil conditioner in the vegetable patch throughout the growing season. Whether you give your garden soil a boost before or after fertilizing is up to you. Due to the good compatibility, you can even distribute soil activator products and fertilizer at the same time.

    My Oscorna soil activator in the 25 kg bag is bone dry. How can microorganisms still live in it?

    Dry conditions cause microorganisms to fall into a dormant state. This process has no adverse effects on viability. In contact with moisture, the microorganisms become lively and immediately get to work. For this reason, it is important that you water the bed soil or lawn thoroughly after use.

    tips

    The Oscorna soil activator in clay soil on a new property is beneficial. Under the influence of construction work and heavy equipment, the finely crumbly loam structure tends to compact and become waterlogged. As part of the improvement measures for creating your dream garden, work in 200 to 250 grams of soil activator per square meter and water again.

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