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If you find your garden soil smells pungent like ammonia, you’re probably wondering what’s causing it. Don’t worry – this is a very common problem in gardening and you can fix it yourself! In this article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about why soil smells strange. We will also tell you how to remove unpleasant odors in soil and improve soil quality.
Steps
What causes soil to smell ammonia?
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Soils with poor drainage often accumulate an ammonia smell. If the soil does not drain well, it will quickly become waterlogged. Soil that is soggy is the perfect environment for anaerobic bacteria to thrive, and this often causes the soil to smell like ammonia. [1] X Research Source
- To test the drainage in the garden, you can dig a hole 30x30x30 cm and fill it with water. If the water seeps into the soil in the last 3 hours, it means the soil is well drained, and there may be another cause of the ammonia smell. [2] X Research Source
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Over-watering or heavy rain can cause the soil to smell like ammonia. Medium-draining soil can still become waterlogged and smelly if too much water is poured in. If the soil has no chance to dry out, it will gradually smell like ammonia. [3] X Research Sources
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Soil lacking in oxygen can also smell like ammonia. Soils that do not have enough oxygen are called “anaerobic” soils. A lack of oxygen can cause many problems, and all can contribute to unpleasant odors in the soil. [4] X Research Source Anaerobic soils typically have some (or all) of the following characteristics:
- Heavy, pliable or gray indicates a large amount of clay in the soil
- Hard, tight and difficult to till indicates compacted soil
- Having standing water and always being wet indicates poor drainage [5] X Research Source
How can I fix ammonia-smelling soil?
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Add organic soil amendments to improve drainage or till compacted soil. Fibrous organic soil amendments such as peat moss, shavings, bark and straw are most effective for heavy, compacted or waterlogged soils. [6] X Research Source Begin by spreading a layer of your chosen soil amendment about 5-8 cm thick. The next step is to use a tiller, shovel or garden pitcher to mix into the soil. It’s best to adjust the soil 3-6 weeks before you start planting. [7] X Research Sources
- Make sure to mix the organic matter evenly throughout the garden. [8] X Research Sources
- Avoid mixing soil amendments into wet soil, as it will further compact the soil. [9] X Research Source
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Reduce watering frequency if the soil is relatively well drained and not compacted. If the soil has fairly good drainage, you should reduce the frequency of watering. In general, the amount of water that should be watered is about 10 cm of water every 8 days. [10] X Research Source If you have plants in the ground, their roots will absorb water faster, so you will need to water more often. You can experiment with the following:
- Dig a 30x30x30 cm earthen hole before watering. If the soil is visibly wet, drill for a few days.
- Fill the hole with water to check the drainage. If the water has not been absorbed for the past 3 hours, the soil is waterlogged. At this point, you need to drill water. [11] X Research Source
- Use a rain gauge in a humid climate. Simply plug the rainfall meter into the soil and check the readings periodically to see if additional watering is needed. [12] X Research Source
Why do my potted plants smell like ammonia?
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Potted plants sometimes smell like ammonia if you water them too often. Waterlogged soil is a good environment for anaerobic bacteria to multiply and cause odors in the soil. The simple method of testing by touching the soil can help you avoid over-watering your potted plants. [14] X Research Source
- To perform the test, you just need to poke your finger into the ground about 2.5 cm deep. If the soil is still wet, do not water it quickly. Wait until the soil is dry to the touch.
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Pots with poor drainage can cause an ammonia smell to develop. Check the bottom of the pot for drainage holes. If the pot has no drainage holes or if the drainage holes are too small, water will not be able to drain properly. This can cause a foul odor and can lead to plant diseases such as root rot. [15] X Research Source
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Tightly textured soil can cause potted plants to smell like ammonia. You should avoid using garden soil or other dense soil mixes for potted plants. Light potting mixes are best for potted plants because it maintains porosity (doesn’t compact over time) and drains well (helps prevent waterlogging). [16] X Research Source
What do I need to do to fix a potted plant that smells bad?
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Replant the plant into a light potting mix. Look for a soil-free potting mix made from peat moss, vermiculite, and/or perlite. Soil-free potting mixes are lightweight, porous and well suited for growing plants in pots. [17] X Research Source You can even mix peat moss and vermiculite (or perlite) yourself in equal proportions into a planting mix. [18] X Trusted Source Penn State Extension Go to source
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Use pots with more drainage holes. Choose a pot with drainage holes in the bottom or in the side of the pot. If the drainage hole is at the bottom of the pot, be sure to raise the pot a little higher for easy drainage. If the pot is to be placed close to the ground (or other flat surface like a table or shelf), it should have drainage holes in the side of the pot (instead of the bottom). [19] X Research Source
- If you don’t want to replant the plant, you can also drill additional drainage holes in the bottom or top of the pot.
X
This article is co-authored by a team of editors and trained researchers who confirm the accuracy and completeness of the article.
The wikiHow Content Management team carefully monitors the work of editors to ensure that every article is up to a high standard of quality.
There are 16 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 1,007 times.
If you find your garden soil smells pungent like ammonia, you’re probably wondering what’s causing it. Don’t worry – this is a very common problem in gardening and you can fix it yourself! In this article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about why soil smells strange. We will also tell you how to remove unpleasant odors in soil and improve soil quality.
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