Massachusetts is rich in history. Known for being one of the first states in the U.S., people have been planting and farming on Massachusetts soil since the early 17th century. Paxton soil, made of coarse, well-drained loam , is the most common type of soil in Massachusetts.
Paxton soils are composed of material scraped from areas where glaciers traveled, giving it a varied mineral composition. Its particles are texturally large, and it's known for its capacity to hold a lot of water, making it great for agricultural production.
Knowing how to care for your soil is directly connected to maintaining vibrant and healthy trees on your landscape. Read on to learn how to keep soil healthy and improve the quality of soil.
Why Is Soil Care Important for Growing Plants
Soil is an extremely important element of plant life. Soil anchors roots, provides essential nutrients needed for growth, holds moisture, and allows for airflow. It’s also home to insects and microorganisms that decompose organic matter.
Maintaining and improving soil health creates an environment that allows plant, tree, and animal life to flourish.
What Makes Soil Healthy
According to the USDA, soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Healthy soil regulates water flow, filters potential pollutants, cycles nutrients, and provides stability to root systems.
If your soil no longer performs any of these functions, it’s time to look into your soil’s health and how you take care of it.
Building Healthy Soil & How To Improve Soil Nutrients
If your soil isn’t up to par, there are several ways to improve soil quality. Here are some suggestions:
- Test your soil – Test results will include information about texture, nutrient and pH levels, and organic matter. Knowing what’s in your soil will help you best address the problem and how to add nutrients to your soil. determine how to add nutrients to your soil.
- Add soil amendments – Biochar, humate, compost, and other organic matter help provide vital nutrients to the soil, improving soil quality and alleviate soil compaction and prevent it.
- Aerate and water regularly – Compaction can make it hard for soil to absorb water and nutrients and provide an anchor for root systems. Aeration and regular watering can help encourage those important functions. It’s important to consult your local arborist about how much water to add and how to do it. Too often many homeowners will water too much.
- Cover your soil – Mulch can be used to protect soil ecosystems from erosion along with adding organic matter.
How Long Does It Take To Improve Soil Quality
Improving soil quality takes time, which is why soil nutrient management is so important. Soil can improve within a few years if the above steps are followed consistently. Without regular maintenance, soil quality can take several years to improve because of its slow-changing nature.
Signs of Unhealthy Soil
Unhealthy soil can be detrimental to your tree’s health and growth. Look out for these signs that your soil needs some TLC:
- Dryness – If your soil is dry and cracked, it’s not absorbing the water it needs to maintain its health.
- Difficulty digging – compacted, hard soil makes it hard for tree roots to dig in.
- Poor growth – If your trees and plants aren’t growing properly, test for your soil for proper nutrient and pH levels.
- Low insect life – You should see plenty of invertebrates when digging into your soil.
- Unwanted plants – Moss, weeds, and other unwanted plants can be a sign that your soil content needs to be adjusted.
At Hartney Greymont, we have local arborists throughout Massachusetts located in Needham, Concord, Danvers, Cape Cod, and the surrounding areas to help you determine your soil’s health and help improve your soil quality.
Request A Free-Soil Test From Your Local Hartney Greymont Office
