Looking Below- Evaluating the Quality of Your Soil
We learned how to take a soil core sample, and now we must learn how to evaluate the results of what the soil core is trying to tell us. If you learn how to read the signs properly, then you will better understand what the problem is and can zero in on the appropriate solution.
If your soil is light in color, sandy, loose or full of gravel, then the problem is that it is infertile soil that does not contain enough organic substances. As a result of this it will not retain water as it is supposed to in order to sustain plant growth. The solution is a relatively simple one- mix two to four inches of compost into the upper eight to 12 inches of your soil. After this is done you then will need to mulch the lawn and top-dress it.
If your soil looks blue or gray in color and is full of clay, then this will serve to keep the air out and will cause growth problems. Too much clay makes for very wet and soggy soil in the wintertime and a lack of hydration in the summertime. What you need to do is the same thing that was done with regards to the problem described above. Adding compost helps to open up soil that is laden with clay.
What about if your soil looks yellow, blue, black or gray and has a bad odor? If this describes your soil, then the drainage needs some help as the soil is too saturated. The solution is to install a subsurface drainage system. To optimize drainage for plants that cannot live without it, find a way to raise up your planting areas. Another option is to plant only those plants that can handle an abundance of water.
Worms and other types of creatures in your soil are actually beneficial because they aerate the soil and recycle the nutrients in it. If you have very few worms and the like, then you are probably using too much fertilizer or too many pesticides. These items can kills off worms. To fix this problem, simply ease up on your use of chemicals for your soil. Allow your soil the chance to breathe and live more naturally. Add some compost to your soil or apply half an inch of it to the top layer of the soil to help it bounce back to life!
