Spoil Your Soil

Like water, soil is a key source of life on Earth. We simply can't live without it. Without soil, there would be no plants, and without plants, there would be no oxygen. Thus, it's important that we nurture and maintain the health of our soil in much the same way we take care of our plants and lawns.

Soil: Not a Dirty Word
To many, soil is that common brown muck we track into the house from our garden. But it's not that simple. After all, "muck" and "dirt" are merely slang words used in place of this nutrient-rich element.

Soil consists of ground-up fragments of rock, or minerals. These minerals represent the largest component of soil. In addition, decaying organic matter, such as plants and insects, living organisms (including earthworms and bacteria), water and air all play key roles in the soil's health -- and hence, the growth of all plants.

Water helps move nutrients and toxins to or away from plant roots. In addition, plants need water for biological activities such as photosynthesis, respiration, and growth.

Plant roots and living soil organisms require oxygen to function. In turn, carbon dioxide and other gases that are toxic to plants must be released through roots to escape the soil. This exchange of oxygen and toxic gases relies on good soil aeration. Aeration is influenced by soil texture and structure, the amount of water displacing these gases, and compaction, which prevents or slows the movement of gases.

Decayed organic matter not only feeds living soil organisms, but it also improves soil structure, the ability of soil to hold water, as well as the soil's nutrient capacity. In addition, when decayed organic matter is added to sandy soil (which is easy to work with in the garden, but needs constant watering), it improves the soil over time -- but it must be added periodically because it decomposes.

The living portion of soil consists of organisms such as algae, bacteria, earthworms, fungi, and insects. Most are beneficial, because they consume organic matter and "return" it to the soil as plant nutrients.

Different Kinds of Soils
Although all soils consist of the basic components described above, the size and proportion of soil particles vary, influenced by conditions such as climate and region. There are three distinctive textures or particle sizes: sand, silt, and clay. A soil's texture affects drainage, aeration, water holding capacity, and nutrient holding capacity.

Sandy soils are coarsely textured, light, and relatively easy to manage. This type of soil does not compact easily, is well-aerated because of many large pores, and drains easily. Soils that contain a lot of silt (loose, sedimentary material with small rock particles) drain poorly and are not very productive. Clay soils contain the smallest, or finest, particle size. Soils with a lot of clay are heavy and difficult to work with. Drainage can be poor, because water often has a hard time moving through the silt.

Most Long Island soils are primarily a combination of the three textures. This combination is often referred to as loam, or loamy soils. Most annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees, and shrubs grow and thrive best in loamy soils, though individual plant types have specific soil preferences.

In addition to texture, soil pH is one of the most important factors for growing and managing a successful garden. It is a measurement of how acidic (sour) or alkaline (sweet) a soil is. The primary role pH plays is its influence on nutrient availability in the soil. Most plants have a pH preference. At their most favorable pH, plants can easily absorb nutrients to remain healthy and vigorous.

The pH scale ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Long Island soils are naturally acidic, with a pH of 4.5 or lower being common for soils that have never been limed (lime is a mineral often added to soil to neutralize soil pH).

Testing, 1, 2, 3..
Determining a soil's texture and pH ensures what types of plants endure the soil's conditions, as well as what type of soil amendments need to be made to achieve better plant growth. There are several ways to test soil for its texture and pH level. One way is to send a soil sample to either Cornell's Nassau or Suffolk County Cooperative Extension for an analysis. Another quick way is to take a handful of moderately moist soil and squeeze it. If it's loose, crumbles easily, or won't stay together, your soil is most likely sandy. If it stays together tightly and won't crumble, it probably has a lot of clay in it. And if it stays together, but crumbles a little when touched, it's probably a good loamy soil.

Maintain Your Terrain
Regardless of a soil's robustness, intensive use and long productive seasons can deplete it of nutrients and structure. But just like a healthy person rarely, if ever, needs medication, healthy soil rarely, if ever, needs chemical pesticides and fertilizers, says J. Patrick Madden, president of the World Sustainable Agriculture Association. In addition, like a person needs to practice proper hygiene and self-maintenance habits to remain in top shape (including exercise and good nutrition), soil needs constant "TLC," as well.

An effective way to maintain your soil's efficiency is to replenish it with Long Island Compost's all-natural soil products. All its products -- including top soil, potting soil, professional potting mix, Superlite soils, mulch, and compost -- are 100 percent chemical-free. A full line of Long Island Compost's "gourmet food for your garden" is available at garden centers and retailers. Custom blends are also available upon request. Remember, to grow healthy, thriving plants and flowers, you have to start with a healthy, thriving foundation. Take care of your soil!