Soil is a vital component of pretty much any lawn. Whenever soil health is good, it helps to bring greater health to the plants around your yard, and the inverse is true whenever soil health is poor. To keep your soil as healthy as possible, it’s important to know what can compromise its health so you can take measures to avoid disaster. Here are ways in which soil health can become compromised.

Erosion

Soil erosion is what happens whenever topsoil gets lost as a result of wind, tillage, water, or other forces. The topsoil is what has the most organic matter, and it also happens to be the part of the soil that’s most fertile. When topsoil gets eroded, the soil won’t be as fertile, meaning it will be much harder to support the growth of plants around your yard.

Soil Nutrients Become Imbalanced

Sometimes, it’s possible for the nutrients in your soil to be out of balance. Key plant nutrients, like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, are necessary in specific ratios in order for plants to grow healthily. When these nutrients aren’t balanced, plant growth could be stifled, and soil acidification could also take place. Soil chemistry can also be altered, which not only impacts soil health, but also lowers how available certain plant nutrients are.

Soil Can Become Contaminated

When soil gets contaminated, all kinds of harmful materials could get introduced into the soil, and these can harm not just plants, but also people and animals too. There are various reasons why soil contamination could happen, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides, or waste disposal that puts toxic chemicals into your soil.

Soil Can Get Compacted

Soil health can also be compromised whenever the soil gets compacted. Compacted soil means that the roots of your plants have a harder time actually penetrating the soil and establishing themselves.

Because of this, your plants might not have as much root growth. Sometimes, plant roots have a harder time receiving water and nutrients. Soil erosion also has a chance of going up whenever soil gets compacted too much.

Contact Sposato Landscape

For over 25 years, Sposato Landscaping has been beautifying and nurturing countless landscapes throughout the Delmarva area. We offer many services, including landscape design, installations, residential maintenance, hardscape, commercial maintenance, and turf nutrient management.

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