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Landscape for Life and the role of Soil in the Sustainable landscape: Class 1 : Given at Cibolo Nature Center and Farm Boerne TX, Feb. 18, 2014
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Class One: Landscape for Life and the Role of Soil in a Sustainable Garden
Shanna Ciano & Ginny Frederick
February 18, 2014
Cibolo Nature Center & Farm
Location
Class One: Landscape for Life and the Role of Soil in a Sustainable Garden
Instructor
Date
a dynamic balancea dynamic balance
Sustainability & Conservation
Class Discussion: What is a Sustainable Garden?
A sustainable garden maximizes environmental and human health benefits for current and future generations.
What is the ultimate objective of a sustainable landscape?
A beautiful landscape that protects or restores the benefits nature provides to humans that are essential to our everyday life.
Provide Clean Air and Clean Water
Build Healthy and Fertile Soil
Capture and Stores Water
Control Erosion and Sediment Runoff
Mitigate the Urban Heat Island
Provide Habitat
Support Human Health and Well-Being
Why is sustainability important?
By the year 2030, humanity will need the capacity of two Earths to absorb CO2 waste and keep up with natural resource consumption (WWF 2010).
The human population has grown exponentially over the last hundred years, increasing from 1.6 to 7 billion
Conventional vs. Sustainable
Requires regular application of potable water.
Minimizes potable water use in the garden.
Conventional Landscape Sustainable LandscapeGarden trimmings are disposed of in the landfill.
Garden trimmings are composted and/or used as mulch.
Conventional Landscape Sustainable LandscapeFertilizers are needed to support healthy plant growth.
The natural soil food web and on-site organic matter promote healthy plant growth.
Conventional Landscape Sustainable LandscapeThe reuse of site structures or materials at the end of a project life is not considered.
Landscapes are designed to minimize waste.
Conventional Landscape Sustainable LandscapeThe layout and design of landscapes are “cookie cutter” configurations
Design solutions are unique to the area and building site.
Sustainability Requires Stewardship
The Mission Reach: 2010 The Mission Reach: 2025
Class Discussion
• How can you be a good steward of your home garden?
• How can you be a good steward of landscapes in your community?
Questions or Comments
Class Break
Lesson 1.2: The Role of Soil in a Sustainable Garden
What is Soil?
• Weathered rock
• Mineral particles
• Organic matter• living• previously living
• Absorbs rainfall and mitigates flooding
• Removes pollutants and cleanses water
• Stores water for plants, wildlife and people
• Provides nutrients and oxygen for plants
• Stores atmospheric carbon
• Provides habitat for a variety of microbes, plants and animals
The Role of Soil in a Sustainable Garden
Conventional vs. Sustainable
The Importance of Soil
Soil: a living, healthy ecosystem
Soil can easily be damaged by everyday activities
Soil Structure: the key to healthy soilHow readily soil particles cling together to form aggregates.
The key to good structure is organic matter and thriving communities of soil organisms.
Soil CompactionWeight from a single intense force or small repeated forces pushes soil particles together causing them to compact .
Compacted soils:• Contribute to erosion and runoff
• Restrict plant growth
• Limit the soil’s ability to absorb water
• Decrease the soil’s biological activity
Common Causes of Soil Compaction
Construction and maintenance equipment
Repeated pedestrian and animal traffic
Common Causes of Soil Compaction
Rainfall on bare soils
Common Causes of Soil Compaction
Continually removing organic matter such as leaves or lawn clippings
from the landscape
Common Causes of Soil Compaction
Walking on, compressing or digging in soil while wet
Common Causes of Soil Compaction
Repeated tillage
Common Causes of Soil Compaction
Unhealthy Landscape Sustainable LandscapeSoils are exposed to sunlight, rain and wind
Soils are protected by vegetation and mulch
Class ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structureHow to determine soil texture and structure
Common Soil Characteristics for the Region
Soil Types in Boerne
Shanna’s House: North Boerne Ginny’s house : East of Boerne
8—Doss silty clay,Typical profile 0 to 17 inches: Silty clay17 to 80 inches: Bedrock
10—Eckrant-Comfort association Typical profile0 to 5 inches: Stony clay5 to 40 inches: Bedrock
Soil Types in Boerne
16—Oakalla silty clay loam Typical profile
0 to 62 inches: Silty clay loam
Herff Farm, Boerne
Class Activity:How to Determine your Soil Type
• Texture
• Structure
• pH
Class ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structureClass ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structure
Class ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structureClass ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structure
Class ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structureClass ActivityHow to determine soil texture and structure
Soil pHMeasure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil
Soil pH affects:• The availability of nutrients and minerals to
plants• Activity of soil microorganisms
How to Determine your Soil pH
• Home test kits
• University extension labs
• Commercial labs
Site Assessment
Class AssignmentSite Assessment
• Create a basemap• Footprint of
buildings and all paved surfaces
• Utility lines• North arrow• Scale
Class AssignmentSite Assessment
• Soil• Areas of erosion
and compaction• Areas that are
commonly wet• Exposed rock• Shallow soils• Areas where the
soil abruptly changes texture and structure
Class Wrap-UpClosing questions or comments
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