What is nutrient leeching?

Nutrient leaching is the process of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium being washed out of soil or other substrates due to excessive rainfall, irrigation, or other forms of water runoff. This can lead to a depletion of essential nutrients in the soil and can negatively impact plant growth and overall ecosystem health. Nutrient leaching can also have negative effects on nearby waterways and aquatic life, as the excess nutrients can cause algal blooms and other issues. To mitigate nutrient leaching, it is important to be mindful of over-fertilization, manage water usage, and use soil amendments such as compost to help retain nutrients in the soil.