We live in a world where there seems to be a day of commemoration for just about everything. So if we mentioned the day December 5th, you’d probably assume it’s just another day in the early part of the month. But thanks to the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, December 5th is…
While it may be out of sight, out of mind, damage is being incurred by high foot or vehicle traffic on your landscape throughout the winter, but is especially concerning now when soils are beginning to thaw. Soil conditions currently range from still being frozen, to being partially thawed and some areas are both frozen…
Soil is one of the four elements upon which life on earth depends; soil, water, air and sunlight. 2015 has been declared the International Year of Soils (IYS) by the U.N., and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) has organized themes for each month in an effort to further highlight the need for soil preservation…
Adding charcoal or “biochar” to soil can boost soil’s water holding capacity and reduce the need for fertilizers, which is well-known in the agricultural industry but as of yet has not caught on in the horticultural realm and growth media industry. Research, led by growth media company Fafard & Frères, in Quebec, suggests that biochar…
Soil is the basic foundation for life on this planet; crops, livestock, wildlife and clean water all depend on it. Our soils are currently threatened by a myriad of reasons, not the least of which include deforestation, modern agricultural techniques, development and overgrazing. Data from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) indicates that over half the world’s topsoil…
When we think of soil we all picture what is beneath our feet, but researcher Camila Tejo Haristoy is studying soil that forms in forest canopies, referred to as canopy or arboreal soil. Canopy soil develops when epiphytic plants(a plant that grows above the ground, supported non-parasitically by another plant or object, and deriving its nutrients and water from rain,the air, dust, etc.; air plant; aerophyte) begin to decompose. The formation of these soils, as with ground soils, is also aided by bacteria…
Nutritional Network There are essential elements for plant growth and success, in addition to sunlight, oxygen, carbon dioxide, soil and water they also require mineral nutrients. These nutrients are normally absorbed from the soil, but not all soils are mineral rich or they may not contain the needed quantities. There are 14 mineral nutrients required for…
Dirt Domicile Making the soil in your beds and yard into a good home for plants is a good way to increase their chances for success. So preparing your soil prior to planting is a good idea. If you have plants currently experiencing difficulties or you would like to know specifically what to add or modify,…
