FROM THE GROUND UP….

Because it all starts in the soil, or do you have dirt?

Do you have dirt or soil?

• In the most basic terms, dirt is considered “dead” and soil is “alive”.

What is the difference?

• Soils are full of biology that work well together to create an ecosystem suitable for plant materials. When soils are full of biodiversity, good structure and no compaction, your plants, whether trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables or turf, have a better chance of remaining healthy AND withstanding issues that arise, like heavy storms or hot, humid weather.
• The biodiversity within soil MAKES nutrients available to any plant in a form the plant can use. 

How can you tell?

• Dirt may appear to have cracks on the surface and this may mean it’s extremely compact. Compact soils have little to no pore space to hold oxygen and water and these two items alone NEED to account for 50% of the profile. Oxygen and water are two of the essential items plant life need, too. Without them, your plants are on a path for disaster.
• Soil has a similar look, smell and feel as an old forest. We all know that “earthy” smell and this is a key component to healthy soil. Soils should not smell weird or bad and if they do, this is also a key indicator that things are not good. Soil should be a nice brown color, almost like a dark chocolate candy bar. 

Why does it matter?

• It all matters because we all know the benefits of healthy plants and when it comes to trees, we all have seen the potential damage a tree can do, so why not encourage optimal health which leads to a long living tree that is better able to withstand storms?
• Why spend monies each season on products that are essentially killing that soil ecosystem, but also providing a temporary solution that allows you to reach your goal of a green lush lawn and healthy plants, but I encourage you to think about what happens when you change your approach? I’ll tell ya….when you stop a program that provides temporary solutions, you end up with more problems. Consider a new approach by addressing soil quality and while you will need a few years to build up a healthier soil profile, you’ll be incredibly grateful in the end because you WILL have less problems requiring more money and time.

What can be done?

• Talk to a professional. A properly certified business can provide a roadmap that helps you reach your goals AND in the best interest of your plants. A true professional will ALWAYS want to meet your expectations as best as possible AND keep you as a happy customer.