We often forget the importance of dirt, aka soil in our lives. Without great soil, we can’t grow the trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables and annuals that make our outdoor living spaces so wonderful.
Some important points to consider are:
– Healthy soils are the basics for healthy food production.
-Soils are the foundation for vegetation which is cultivated or managed for feed, fiber, fuel and medical products.
-Soils support our planet’s biodiversity and host a quarter of the total species on our planet.
-Soils help to combat and adapt to climate change by playing a key role in carbon cycle.
-Soils are a non-renewable resource: its preservation is essential for food security and our sustainable future.
-Soils store and filter water, improving our resilience to floods and droughts.
We don’t often think about or consider soil! Often soil is fondly called by its common name…dirt! Dirt is also grime or gossip…so let’s all give soils the respect they deserve.
Here is a quick lesson on types of soil composition:
Sandy– composed of large particles which drains waters quickly taking away nutrients.
Clay – composed of small particles that hold water and nutrients. Poor drainage and aeration are characteristics of clay soil.
Silt – particles sized between sand and clay. Its particles are too small to hold moisture…creating it to be dusty and powdery when dry.
Loam – the best blend of particle sizes therefore has all the best qualities such as holding water while draining excess water, aeration for oxygen to roots and holds nutrients.
Who knew there are so many types of soil! Very few homeowners have the perfect soil so that is why it is so important to add nutrient rich compost to your soil every year. This benefits all gardens including beautiful perennial gardens and vegetable gardens. You cannot over compost a garden…no harm will be done. Organic matter (compost) is the soil’s conditioner and food supply. You can create your own compost or purchase it from a nursery, so there are no excuses for not doing this annual gardening task.
Toronto landscaping designs for residential homeowners often include perennial and vegetable gardens and knowing how to maintain them is important.
When we at D.A Gracey do a landscape installation, the addition of soils to the landscape is a very important component of the project. We ensure that we purchase soil from a reputable company and that it is good quality. This helps to ensure all our plantings thrive for the homeowners.