Managing a commercial property isn’t easy – or cheap. And while soil quality may not be the most obvious issue affecting the health and beauty of your landscape, it can cause major issues if not monitored and maintained properly. Find out how you can improve soil quality and put your plants, trees, and turf on solid ground.
The Basics
Healthy soil is more than just the foundation for plants and trees. It’s full of minerals, compounds, and even living organisms that help feed and nourish the environment, and breaks down organic matter, helping to perpetuate the growing cycle. Soil types can vary widely, and knowing whether you’re dealing with clay soil, sandy soil, or another type can help you understand what your plants need, how stormwater moves through your property, and what nutrients to supplement.
Conducting a soil test can help you identify deficiencies in your soil and develop an amendment plan. Standard soil tests look at pH, as well as other key information about nutrient content, organic matter, etc., which makes testing a great starting point.
The Benefits Of Healthy Soil
This is an easy one! Better soil leads to healthier, more resilient plants and trees, which require less maintenance to look their best – saving time and money.
Healthy, well-composed soil not only contains the nutrients plants need to thrive, but water management also becomes less of an issue, since healthy soil tends to absorb and hold moisture better, reducing the need for additional irrigation. Healthy soil offers proper drainage, and during storms or spring runoff, good drainage is a property manager’s best friend. Aside from helping to reduce the odds of stormwater collecting in various locations, properly aerated soil allows plants and trees to access water quickly and make the most of it – whether it’s from irrigation or precipitation, while also providing the oxygen required for healthy roots.
Healthy plants have stronger root systems, and combined with good drainage, this helps reduce erosion, keeping nutrients (and fertilizer or other additives) in place longer and improving your landscape from the ground up.
Trust The Process
If your unhealthy soil needs help, once you’ve performed any testing or observation to identify the issues (see above), it’s time to get to work. Talk with your landscape provider to develop a program that focuses on improving the physical and chemical makeup of your soil.
Spring and fall are 2 of the best times of year to perform any amendments, so plan accordingly. Spring features increased moisture and microbial activity in soil and allows plenty of time for adjustments to settle in before the dormant season, while fall provides a more consistent weather pattern – reduced sunlight, cooler temperatures for less stress on plants – and helps prepare plants for the growing season.
Along with micro and macro nutrient replacement and other amendments, correcting compaction is critical to maintaining healthy soil. Aerating in spring or fall allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil, helping plants achieve deeper root structures. Following aeration, adding sources of organic matter such as compost, biochar, and humates can do much to improve and maintain the health of your soil.
Your soil is the unsung hero of your commercial landscape, so be sure to give it the attention it deserves. Your plants will appreciate the boost, and guests, customers, and employees who visit your property will notice the work you’re doing to provide healthy, vibrant outdoor spaces.
DOES YOUR SOIL NEED A PICK-ME-UP? CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DAVEY OFFICE TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN ASSESSMENT!
