1. Lab 1 Soils & Soil-less Media TODAY: Background Information Soil Survey (handout; 6 points) Greenhouse Work Ribbon Test & Hand Test (handout; 1 point) Basil & Soil-less Media (page 25 in lab manual for 3 points…part of this you’ll do later in the semester)

2. What Is Soil? How Is Soil Formed? Definition A natural, 3-dimensional body at the earth’s surface. It is capable of supporting plants and has properties resulting from the integrated effect of climate and living matter acting on earthy parent material, as conditioned by relief over periods of time. 5 soil forming factors (Hans Jenny, 1941) - Climate- Time - Parent Material- Organisms - Topography/Relief (lay of the land)

3. What’s So Important About Soil? Medium for growth - anchorage for roots Supplies conditions required for growth Moisture Stored in pore spaces Nutrients/minerals Bound to soil particles, from decomposition of soil minerals Oxygen for respiration Stored in pore spaces Soil Ecosystem

4. “Too many people have lost sight of the fact that productive soil is essential to the production of food.” “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.…” – Hugh Hammond Bennett Hugh Hammond Bennett, the father of soil conservation He was the head of the Soil Erosion Service when it was formed in 1933 in response to the Dust Bowl. Bennett was one of the first people to identify poor farming practices as the cause of the dust storms, and to formulate a plan for soil conservation.

5. Dust buried farms and equipment, killed livestock, and caused human death and misery during the height of the Dust Bowl years. In: "Monthly Weather Review," June 1936, p.196. (NOAA Photo Library)

6. "Manhandled Land - fertile soil goes off by carload lots." A common site during the Dust Bowl. The erosion in this picture was more an effect of poor farming practice than drought, though. In: "To Hold This Soil", Russell Lord, 1938. Miscellaneous Publication No. 321, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (NOAA Photo Library)

7. What Makes An Ideal Garden Soil? It should be… Deep - root growth and nutrient extraction Friable - a perfect balance of texture (often a loam) Friable = Easy to work, crumbly High in organic matter - 3-5% OM Well drained/aerated - balance of soil solution and oxygen Fertile - optimum nutrient and pH levels (6.2-6.8)

8. What is Soil Texture?

9. Why Does Soil Texture Matter? Determines soil pore space Soil Texture Determines soil drainage Determines aeration Influences nutrient holding capacity (CEC) Affects soil workability HOW?

10. How to Determine Soil Texture Field Tests Hand tests - various methods by which general soil texture classes can be gauged Size separates - determine proportion of sand, silt, and clay by allowing size separates to settle differentially in a water solution Soil References Soil textural triangle Soil surveys

11. Soil Textural Triangle

12. Using a Soil Survey: General Soil Map Use it for getting a broad idea of soil conditions in the county

13. Using a Soil Survey: Index to Map Sheets  Find the box on the index sheet that has the location you’re interested in  Use that number to locate the folded map sheet in the back of the survey

14. Changing Gears: Soil-less Media Definition: Medium used for growing plants in containers and that does not contain field soil Characteristics Uniform size Pest-free Well drained/good aeration Retains moisture Low soluble salts

15. Soil-less Media… Major Components Peat Moss Perlite Vermiculite Other Components Sand Bark Lime Wetting agents - hydrophilic polymer Fertilizer

16. Soil-less Media Characteristics Peat MossPerliteVermiculite How Is It Made? - Partially decomposted remains of plants/animals (mostly sphagnum moss) that accumulated in oxygen-poor freshwater - Environmental concerns about habitat destruction - Volcanic material expanded to 13x its original volume when heated to 1700F (think popcorn) - Clay mineral exposed to intense heat, causing the clay layers to expand into accordion-shaped granules - Hydrated Al-Fe-Mg silicates; very similar to mica What does it do? - Provides organic matter for retention of nutrients and water - Large surface area -Improves aeration & drainage - Forms macropores - Acts as soil insulator - Particles provide space for water, air, and nutrients - Improves aeration & drainage Water retention? 20 X its weight3-4 X its weightVery close to peat moss From Where ? Canada, Northern Europe (Scotland!) Open pit mining in many countries Mined in many countries Sterile? noyes pH? Very acidic6.5 – 7.56.5 – 7.2

17. Digging Peat in Scotland

18. Perlite Perlite Mine in New Mexico

19. Vermiculite Mining Vermiculite in South Africa

20. Soil-less Media: Typical Commercial Mix Typical Commercial Mix 1/3 coarse peat moss 1/3 perlite 1/3 vermiculite 3 lbs complete fertilizer (5-10-5) 7 lbs dolomitic limestone Wetting agent

21. Soil-less Media: An Organic Alternative An Organic Alternative 1/3 Peat Moss 1/3 Perlite 1/3 Vermiculite 5 lbs composted manure 1 lb bone meal 1 lb green sand 7 lbs dolomitic limestone

22. Soil-less Media: Mix Without Peat Moss  Replace peat moss 1:1, but reduce limestone  Coir or coconut husks in potting mixes  Composted, fine grade wood shavings  Or Try 1 part composted green waste: 1 part coir