Florida Waterwise Landscapes - Alliance for Water Efficiency
Florida Waterwise Landscapes - Alliance for Water Efficiency
Florida Waterwise Landscapes - Alliance for Water Efficiency
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Soil can be improved<br />
in planting beds with<br />
amendments such as peat<br />
or compost, added several<br />
weeks be<strong>for</strong>e planting and<br />
then again periodically.<br />
But because amendments<br />
break down, it is difficult<br />
to significantly change<br />
soil over the long term.<br />
Adding organic matter<br />
does improve nutrient<br />
levels and basic soil<br />
conditions, but will not drastically change<br />
extreme conditions permanently. For more<br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation about mulches and the rates at<br />
which they break down, contact your local<br />
County Cooperative Extension Service office.<br />
WHAT’S IN THE SOIL?<br />
The County Cooperative Extension Service can<br />
test pH in soil or irrigation water <strong>for</strong> a small fee, or<br />
you may wish to purchase a simple kit at your<br />
neighborhood garden center. The address and the<br />
telephone number of your local extension office are<br />
listed in the telephone book under county offices.<br />
A wealth of in<strong>for</strong>mation about soils <strong>for</strong> each<br />
county in <strong>Florida</strong> can be found in your county’s<br />
soil survey, published by the U.S. Department of<br />
Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service<br />
(listed in the telephone book under federal<br />
government offices). Soil surveys are frequently<br />
in the reference section of local libraries.<br />
In a county soil survey, exact properties can be<br />
pinpointed on aerial photographs. Specific soil types<br />
are described as being good <strong>for</strong> certain kinds of<br />
plants, <strong>for</strong> residential development, <strong>for</strong> septic tanks,<br />
etc. A survey also includes in<strong>for</strong>mation such as depth<br />
of the water table throughout the year; water table<br />
depth can be key in determining growing conditions<br />
<strong>for</strong> trees and other plants.<br />
7<br />
Remember to take into account any fill material<br />
that may have been brought in. Try to learn from the<br />
builder if local soils were used. It is common to dig<br />
retention pond areas and use that dirt <strong>for</strong> the<br />
foundation fill. But remember that even then, soils<br />
that are altered through disturbances can’t necessarily<br />
be equated to undisturbed soils from the same area.<br />
Also be aware that substances may have been spilled<br />
or buried during construction. If there’s an<br />
apparently unplantable area in the landscape, dig<br />
<strong>for</strong> debris or excavate the problem area and replace<br />
with topsoil.<br />
Knowing the following about your soil conditions is<br />
fundamental to matching the right plants to your site:<br />
• pH<br />
Getting ready <strong>for</strong> a soil test.<br />
• Sand, clay or rich soil<br />
• Drainage<br />
To determine drainability, fill a hole with water<br />
and note how quickly it drains. Knowing the water<br />
table level can also be important; a high water table<br />
(close to the surface) could influence growing<br />
conditions. The highest water table level of the<br />
year is generally in August.<br />
To determine a high water table, dig a hole and<br />
see if water seeps into it.<br />
Once you understand your soil analysis, the fun<br />
really begins — looking <strong>for</strong> plants!