The soil in your landscape is key to the success of your landscape design and plantings.
You need to know:
- If your soil acid or alkaline?
- What the fertility level is of your soil?
- What is the soil texture? Is it primarily sand, clay, or loam?
To find out this information you'll need to test the soil. This Iowa State University Extension publication, Soil sample information for horticulture crops (.pdf), will tell you how to do a soil test.
Turfgrass Soils by Purdue University [explains the components of soil that you need to know before you begin to plant anything in your landscape. The link to the Purdue site on lawns, located at the bottom of the soils pages, is also very good.]
Soil Test Interpretations and Fertilizer Management
for Lawns, Turf, Gardens, and Landscape Plants - University of Minnesota Extension
When the results are back add this information to your site inventory list and map.
- Site is located in a fairly new residential neighborhood.
- Soil is clay loam with a slightly acid pH of 6.0.
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