Continuation of using wool as a soil amendment

Published: 2020
By Marc King

Blackface, belly wool and tag wool have historically been low-value wools for producers. In an effort to find alternative markets for these low value wools, Sweet Grass County MSU Extension embarked on a demonstration project utilizing wool as a soil amendment. A collaboration of high school students and home gardeners utilized low value wool and measured the effects on various garden plants. The high school students incorporated wool in a community pumpkin patch with over 300 plants. Pumpkins grown with wool on native soil showed more pumpkins per plant and larger pumpkins. Pumpkins grown in composted soil with wool measured earlier growth rates, but by seasons end showed no advantage. In large garden boxes, home gardeners reported increased yields of potatoes, the herbs thyme and dill, carrots, parsley and peas and beans with decreased irrigation. Tomatoes, however, did not respond as favorably to wool as a soil amendment, as it is theorized that there was too much soil water retention. Once irrigation was limited to the tomatoes, increased growth rate and production were noted. Due to limitations because of COVID-19 restrictions, and limited resources and human interaction, this years project was not performed following strict research guidelines. This project will be replicated in future years following a more scientific design and findings made available to both wool producers and horticulturists. Initial findings suggest that wool as a soil amendment has the potential to improve horticultural production. This could potentially benefit wool producers in adding value to lower value wools while helping horticulturalists improve yields.