2. Soil and It’s Importance Provides basic life needs –F–Food and Shelter Very limited resource

3. Ideal Soil 1. 25% Air 2. 25% Water 3. 5% Organic Matter 4. 45 % Mineral Matter

4. 1. Texture Affects almost all properties of the soil The amount of sand, silt and clay in a soil Sand=largest, then silt, then clay Determine by ribbon testing the soil

5. 1. Texture Sand is looser and gritty Silt feels floury Clay is sticky

6. 1. How to determine Texture COURSE=NO BALL MODERATLY COURSE= 1” and gritty MEDIUM = 1” and smooth MODERATELY FINE = 1-2” FINE = 2”

7. Using the soil texture Triangle Percent Sand, Silt Clay Follow the lines Gives you the name of the soil

8. 2. Depth Total thickness of material available for plant growth Plants obtain water, nutrients and support from the root zone Total Depth is determined from the point where the roots stop

9. 2. Depth DEEP=40” MODERATLEY DEEP = 20- 40” SHALLOW = 10-20” VERY SHALLOW = -10”

10. Soil-less Media Advantages: –Uniform –Sterile –Good moisture retention and drainage

11. Soil-less Media Disadvantages –Light weight- not ideal for outdoors –Missing many nutrients –Plants do not always transition well to soil

12. Soil-less Media Contents Perlite –Volcanic rock (superheated) –Used to improve airation

13. Soil-less Media Contents Sphagnum moss- –Dehydrated acid bog plants –Used to cover seeds –Good moisture holding capacity –Acidic

14. Soil-less Media Contents Peat Moss –Partially decomposed vegetation collected from peat marshes or bogs – High moisture holding capacity –1% nitrogen, low in Phosphorus and potassium

15. Soil-less Media Contents Vermiculite –Super heated mineral material –Neutral pH –High Moisture holding capacity

16. Soil-less Media Contents Limestone –Calcium Carbonate (CaCo3) – Raises pH

17. Soil-less Media Contents Tree Bark –Fine bark (1/4” pieces) is used a lot in container growing

18. Soil-less Media Contents Fertilizers –A variety of kinds used –Water soluble or slow release –Add needed nutrients for growth