Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
47 <br /> Soli II IPireparatiion <br /> A basic life-support system of the landscape, soil is the medium for root growth and a reservoir <br /> for water and nutrients. Properly conditioned soil is of vital importance to the health or <br /> landscapes. Creating a good soil environment from the start will bring great dividends in the <br /> future. <br /> A good soil is porous and will drain freely, yet retains water and nutrients in a form available to <br /> plants. Soils that are hard and compacted do not allow water and air to penetrate to the root <br /> zone, and irrigation water is often wasted as runoff. Sandy soils dry out quickly, and water and <br /> nutrients usually drain away before plants can use them. However, it is important to note that <br /> not all soils need amending. Many soils in the Southeast are already suitable for plant <br /> installation. <br /> Addition or organic matter to the soil is the single most important method of improving soil <br /> structure. Organic matter increases water and nutrient-holding capacity, aeration, and drainage. <br /> Plants establish more rapidly when planted in well- prepared soils. They are healthier and more <br /> vigorous, and they have greater disease and drought resistance. <br /> Types of organic matter for soil amendment include pine bark, decomposed wood chips, and <br /> composted materials. One of the most common mistakes in amending the soil is failure to <br /> incorporate sufficient organic matter. As a rule of thumb, a minimum or four inches of organic <br /> matter should be tilled into the planting bed to a depth of 12". It is important to amend the <br /> entire shrub or flower bed, not just the individual planting hole, so that plants can more easily <br /> form extensive root systems and achieve greater drought tolerance. <br /> Trees and lawn areas, in general, do not receive as extensive amendment as shrub and flower <br /> beds, however, lawns establish more rapidly and grow stronger root systems when some <br /> attention is given to improving the soil. The type of tree to be planted dictates the level of soil <br /> improvement, for example, many flowering trees, such as dogwood, prefer a "richer" soil than <br /> pine trees, which can usually grow well with no soil improvement. <br /> P11 ant Se�ectuoin <br /> Lush, green landscapes and seasonal color provided by a variety of plants are a hallmark of the <br /> Southeast. Xeriscapes can achieve this beauty while reducing water consumption. Xeriscaping <br /> does not require that landscapes become cactus gardens. However, careful planning and plant <br /> selection are important to insure the investment and longevity of landscape plants in a <br /> Xeriscape. <br /> Any plant is a candidate for use in a Xeriscape, the key to success is how the plant is used. In <br /> general, the greatest success is achieved when plants are placed in an environment most similar <br /> to the plant's native habitat. However, many plants are adaptable and will perform equally well <br /> in different situations. River birch (Betula nigra) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) are <br />