Trees and Soil Health
We titled this section, “trees and soil health” because we mostly deal with trees at Ruppert Nurseries. We also grow a few different types of shrubs, but many of the points that we’ll cover in this blog post are true for most plants in general. Soil health is so incredibly important when it comes to the health of your plants. If you have a tree or plant that is struggling and you can’t see what is causing the problem, the soil could be a contributing factor. Or maybe you are interested in providing the best environment for your plants that you can. In that case; soil health definitely needs to be taken into consideration.
It's fall in central Maryland, and fall always makes me think of soil health. If you take a walk outside right now, there are reminders all around us that everything eventually returns to the soil. Squirrels are busy this time of year; burying their treasures of acorns and seeds. Some insects are returning to the soil to overwinter beneath the surface. While others have reproduced, laid eggs and are expiring to the soil indefinitely. The frogs and fish in the pond across from my house will soon sink down into the muck in preparation for the cold. And I’m looking forward to snowy weather ahead that will cover the soil in blanket of frozen fluff. But the most alarming reminder of our universal return to the soil is the fiery display of orange, red and yellow; falling autumn leaves that are currently setting the ground ablaze. And the ground is where they should stay because there is a purpose for them even after their photosynthetic lives have been extinguished.
Leave the leaves – It’s a suggestion to not rake fallen leaves into those big, brown paper bags that we often see waiting at the curb to be collected. If left to their own devises, fallen leaves will break down into the landscape and will supply your soil with organic matter. If mowing over fallen leaves is an option for you, mowing can accelerate the decomposition process and will help to keep your landscape looking tidy. Leaving the leaves can be a simple way to boost soil health and it is also a great practice to support your local microbes, birds and insects.
Soil is alive! Soil is filled with organisms that help keep the soil healthy. It’s important to remember that soil is a living thing because there are chemicals that can hurt it. Chemical fertilizers, chemical pest controls and even salted roadways can all become too harsh for soil. Organic fertilizers can even be too potent at times. Similarly to how humans can have too much or too little vitamins or pollutants (chemicals) in their bodies, soil is the same way. Soil even requires air and water to be healthy. If your soils are too compacted and/or too wet, the living occupants (including your plants) will suffer. It is all about finding the right balance.
The balancing act continues when it comes to monitoring the PH of your soil. Certain plants require certain soil PH levels to thrive. If a plant requires more acidic soil, then planting it in a basic environment (think alkaline; not pumpkin spice latte) isn’t going to help. Certain plants even need certain PH levels in order to access the available nutrients in the soil. Soil amendments like compost, organic matter, chemical fertilizers, etc. can all affect the soil PH too. It can be complicated, but there are people who can help.
If you want to explore the health of your soil, reach out to your local extension agency and see if they offer soil testing. There are also soil testing companies that can help you test and analyze your soil. Landscaping companies will often be a fantastic resource too. They can often assess your soil and test your soil for you if you ask them to. Let’s FALL in love with soil health. Your plants and landscapes will notice!
Ashley Miles, Ruppert Nurseries