Landscaping: Soil

Though soil might appear to be the most trivial component of any landscape, it’s actually one of the most significant. For lawns and plants to grow properly, soil must have the right texture and balance of nutrients. Good garden soil is composed of sand, silt, clay and organic material, but few landscapes come naturally equipped with an ideal balance of these four components.

Homeowners can have their soil tested to learn which amendments they need to create the ideal growing medium for their landscaping needs. Heavy clay soils might need the addition of sand to lighten the texture, while nutrient-poor soils benefit from the addition of compost, manure or other organic material.