What is Soil Amendment?
- The amount of amendment added during planting depends entirely on the type of soil you have and what type of plant you are planting.
- Xeric & native plants will not require much amendment upon planting, but it is better to add too much than none.
- Each plant has a specific soil recipe that they prefer. Note plant preferences while considering what type of amendment is right for your project. Different combinations will create a unique and occasionally detrimental effect.
- Some amendments are better suited for specific goals and used in enclosed environments like pots.
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Surviving Southwest Soil Situations
Our region has diverse soils with unique benefits and drawbacks. The trick to creating dream dirt is finding the balance between the soil's natural composition and the ideal recipe of the plant species you hope to grow.
Testing soil structure and distribution.
If you take a good scoop of the topsoil in your yard and add it to a transparent jar of water, shake, then let set, you can see the basic constitutional structure of the soil as sand sinks below clay. You can also determine soil constitution by watering the area lightly and pressing the soil together. If it falls apart it will require extra stability from the other elements to retain moisture and structure. However, if it remains solid it needs organic matter and topsoil/dirt to improve drainage. These soils retain water and nutrients but lack the aeration and drainage to deliver them to plants.
Is Soil Amendment Required?
Our soil quality is so unique and bizarre that amendment is highly recommended for even the most native plants. The heavy clay common in areas surrounding the Animas Valley can be particularly compact, so breaking that solid pottery base up with a bit of organic matter and topsoil can encourage faster and healthier establishment for all species. The sandy shales that are predominantly found on the valley walls and hillsides may require a bit of clay, organic matter, and erosion controlling substances to encourage water retention and improve the longevity of all plantings. The richer soil found within the valley can vary between neighbors from sandy riverside soils perfect for poppies to rich soils filled with organic matter that may be too acidic for certain native plants accustomed to tougher clay.
Avoid adding sand to clay, which creates a compound akin to concrete.
If you can easily maneuver the soil, it is full of organisms like worms and pill bugs/Roly polys, and it is what you may describe as moist, Congratulations you are good to grow! Yet this is often what you will find after incorporating more organic matter or amendment into your Southwest soil structure. Durango Nursery Staff favorites include Nutri - Mulch (bulk and bagged), BTE Cotton burr acidified compost, and RMS or TTF Composts. These products can be applied to the surface surrounding existing plantings incorporating into the soil over time or can be turned into the soil prior to planting for the optimal effect. Chat with our staff to learn what product they would use for your plant selection.
When in doubt, flush it out
If you still have complications growing, stop by with photos and we will see what we can do to help. We have pH testers to purchase and have lab tests free to pick up to assist with additional research (lab kits require payment to the Lab sent with the sample for different tiers of testing). These tests can identify abundances of minerals, metals, or additional elements impacting plant life in your soil or water. Certain elements like salt are water soluble and will rinse out of the soil with extensive watering.
Adapt growing models & recommendations to the climate
If your soil or situation requires you to build up or incorporate different soil models such as hügelkultur, take a moment to adjust the model to an arid climate. Models that include using decomposition or dense waste may require more water to ensure the success of that model. Make climate adjustments for unique species as well, as certain plants may prefer to live happier lives in a raised bed or container due to their species requirements. Blueberries, for example, can be productive in our climate but it can be easier to maintain their preferred soil blend and moisture level in a container more so than in the landscape.
Testing soil structure and distribution.
If you take a good scoop of the topsoil in your yard and add it to a transparent jar of water, shake, then let set, you can see the basic constitutional structure of the soil as sand sinks below clay. You can also determine soil constitution by watering the area lightly and pressing the soil together. If it falls apart it will require extra stability from the other elements to retain moisture and structure. However, if it remains solid it needs organic matter and topsoil/dirt to improve drainage. These soils retain water and nutrients but lack the aeration and drainage to deliver them to plants.
Is Soil Amendment Required?
Our soil quality is so unique and bizarre that amendment is highly recommended for even the most native plants. The heavy clay common in areas surrounding the Animas Valley can be particularly compact, so breaking that solid pottery base up with a bit of organic matter and topsoil can encourage faster and healthier establishment for all species. The sandy shales that are predominantly found on the valley walls and hillsides may require a bit of clay, organic matter, and erosion controlling substances to encourage water retention and improve the longevity of all plantings. The richer soil found within the valley can vary between neighbors from sandy riverside soils perfect for poppies to rich soils filled with organic matter that may be too acidic for certain native plants accustomed to tougher clay.
Avoid adding sand to clay, which creates a compound akin to concrete.
If you can easily maneuver the soil, it is full of organisms like worms and pill bugs/Roly polys, and it is what you may describe as moist, Congratulations you are good to grow! Yet this is often what you will find after incorporating more organic matter or amendment into your Southwest soil structure. Durango Nursery Staff favorites include Nutri - Mulch (bulk and bagged), BTE Cotton burr acidified compost, and RMS or TTF Composts. These products can be applied to the surface surrounding existing plantings incorporating into the soil over time or can be turned into the soil prior to planting for the optimal effect. Chat with our staff to learn what product they would use for your plant selection.
When in doubt, flush it out
If you still have complications growing, stop by with photos and we will see what we can do to help. We have pH testers to purchase and have lab tests free to pick up to assist with additional research (lab kits require payment to the Lab sent with the sample for different tiers of testing). These tests can identify abundances of minerals, metals, or additional elements impacting plant life in your soil or water. Certain elements like salt are water soluble and will rinse out of the soil with extensive watering.
Adapt growing models & recommendations to the climate
If your soil or situation requires you to build up or incorporate different soil models such as hügelkultur, take a moment to adjust the model to an arid climate. Models that include using decomposition or dense waste may require more water to ensure the success of that model. Make climate adjustments for unique species as well, as certain plants may prefer to live happier lives in a raised bed or container due to their species requirements. Blueberries, for example, can be productive in our climate but it can be easier to maintain their preferred soil blend and moisture level in a container more so than in the landscape.
As the Leaf Turns
7.15.24 & 7.29.24
Clay Soil
Clay is the predominant soil composition we deal with in the Southwest, which is why the art of pottery is associated with our region.
While it can present difficulties (extremely heavy soil with minimal drainage or aeration), with a bit of extra work you can still create your perfect paradise.
Many of our native plants are accustomed to clay and may even prefer it due to its ability to hold moisture during drought periods. Many of our favorites, including Lavender, can grow successfully with minimal amendment to the natural soil.
*NEVER add sand to clay soils to increase drainage: Clay + Sand = Cement!!
While it can present difficulties (extremely heavy soil with minimal drainage or aeration), with a bit of extra work you can still create your perfect paradise.
Many of our native plants are accustomed to clay and may even prefer it due to its ability to hold moisture during drought periods. Many of our favorites, including Lavender, can grow successfully with minimal amendment to the natural soil.
*NEVER add sand to clay soils to increase drainage: Clay + Sand = Cement!!
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