Wool for the Soil
- Caitlin Youngquist
- Apr 4
- 1 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Wool is a nutrient dense organic fertilizer for farms, gardens, and house plants. It has a fertilizer value similar to chicken manure but will not burn plants. While there is some variability based on the source of wool, the approximate fertilizer value is 9-0-5-2S.
The water holding capacity of wool is what makes it especially unique. Our research indicates that wool holds 3 to 4 times its weight in water. Adding wool to planting containers reduces watering frequency and provides a source of slow release organic nutrients.
Wool is 30-40% carbon. This is a lot of carbon! By comparison, our manure based compost is only about 15% carbon. Carbon provides the energy for soil microbes, and is the base for stable organic matter in the soil.
Wool does not need to be pelletized, but pellets are easier to handle and mix with soil.
Use Instructions:
Start with about 1/3 of a cup of wool pellets per gallon of soil for containers. This will help hold water and provide nutrients.
Place a small amount of wool in the hole when transplanting.
Use wool as a mulch to insulate soil, deter slugs and snails, reduce weed pressure, and feed the soil.
Use wool for one of the layers in sheet mulching or lasagna gardening.
Wool is also high in keratin. The use of keratin based soil amendments can protect plant health by feeding keratinolytic bacteria. These bacteria are antagonists to some plant pathogens.
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