2. Chemical aspects of good soil
These are the easiest to fix if they are out of balance. The only hard part about chemicals is having the restraint to avoid using TOO MUCH.
Air (Oxygen and Nitrogen) - - - not enough oxygen drowns roots dead.
Water - - (enough but NOT TOO MUCH - too much water drives out air, then roots drown)
pH.
Mineral Nutrients:
- majors: NPK (avoid TOO MUCH, especially too much Nitrogen)
- semi-majors: like Sulfate, Iron, Magnesium and Calcium (keep them soluble with pH and no excess nutrients)
- micro-nutrients like Copper and Boron and at least a dozen others
Mineral and Chemical Toxins
- salinization: excess Sodium and Chloride, or any salt or fertilizer in, kills plants by preventing them from taking up water
- herbicides, heavy metals, almost any chemical: too much is harmful or fatal.
