How to Make Healthy Soil
If you plan to embark on a new landscaping project and want to build healthy soil, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we have put together a list of essential things you can do to turn your outdoor areas into a perfect environment for your plants and grass to thrive.
Eliminate Compaction and Improve Drainage
There are some ways you can reduce compaction. Perform soil aeration, grow in full permanent beds, and keep at a minimum the foot traffic, use your pathways.
Enhance Nutrients
Compost added to the soil is one of the best ways to provide nutrients to it. Composting also reduces the bulk of organic materials, stabilizes their more volatile and soluble nutrients, and speeds up the formation of soil humus. You can also use fertilizers.
Consult experts for recommendations about the best nutrients for your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden plants.
Maintain Soil Moisture
Mulching is the key to help your soil retain moisture and protect it against temperature extremes. There are several types of mulches in the market. Make sure you buy a quality organic mulch for better results.
Keep Soil pH Stable
Aim for pH levels between 6.5 to 6.8 range. To successfully modify the pH of your soil, gradually alter it over several growing seasons and then maintain it every year after that. Apply organic compost to moderate pH imbalances. Use powdered limestone to correct acidic soils. Alkaline soils can be fixed by incorporating naturally acidic natural materials such as conifer needles, peat moss, oak leaves, and sawdust.
Indicators of Healthy Soil
A soil with optimal conditions includes:
- Stable pH within 6.5 to 6.8 range
- Optimal soil structure
- Ability to hold and release nutrients to the plant
- Good level of organic matter
- Biodiversity of soil life
Should you need organic compost, mulch, or any other landscaping supplies, contact All Around Soil & Stone. We are a family business providing quality landscaping products since 1994.
