Soil Amendments

What is healthy soil?

Soil health is defined as “the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental health, and promote plant and animal health.”

To establish healthy soil, you must first determine what type of soil you have. Clay soil absorbs water so slowly that it runs off the surface before it can penetrate the soil. Sandy soils dry quickly and do not hold water and nutrients well. You can add organic amendments such as compost or peat moss that will improve absorption and leave you with less water run-off.

How to determine your soil type:

Squeeze a handful of soil in your hand. When you open your hand, a good loam soil will remain in a pliable ball that breaks apart with a touch. Good loam will have a gritty feeling and is usually a dark color.

A fine clay soil will remain doughy and slippery when you open your hand. It will feel smooth and sticky when wet. Clay soil turns into a hard crust that prevents water and air from reaching the plant roots. You can add sand and organic amendments to turn it into loam.

Moist, sandy soil will form a shape when squeezed that barely holds together.

How to amend the soil:

Choose your soil amendments. This includes aged manure, compost, peat moss, bark chips and wood chips.

Work generous amounts of your chosen soil amendments into the soil as deep as possible before planting.

Add mulch around your plants to help reduce water evaporation.