Dig In

Marilyn Witney

Soil is the thin barrier on the earth's surface between the crust and the atmosphere. All the essential activity for living things occurs in the soil, including temperature regulation, oxygen, water, carbon and all the nutrients necessary for growth. Plus soil is the point of entry into the system of a sustainable landscape.

Traditional blanket applications of fertilizer and chemicals in the spring and fall are not the answer to keeping the soil healthy. It's the easiest way, but not the smartest way to grow your business for the future. Instead, step one is to analyze the site and identify the challenges.

A soil test is first. Make sure that your test will return detailed results, including pH and percent organic matter and nutrient levels. For a listing of various excellent labs, go to the UIUC Extension at http://urbanext.illinois.edu/soiltest/.

For example, A & L Great Lakes in Fort Wayne accepts both ag and home samples. Their website contains the required form to submit a sample, along with detailed instructions on how to collect it. According to Agronomist Tim Bailey, test results can be done for eighteen planting options such as Athletic Field, Vegetable Garden, Putting Green or Acid Loving Shrubs, and three options can be tested for a nominal fee. Unfortunately, no labs exist yet that return organic or sustainable recommendations. Tom Lupfer, whose landscaping business has a growing sustainable practice, says it's up to the contractor what to use. "But it's not just exchange a bag of chemical fertilizer with a new bag of organic," says Lupfer. "It's a matter of looking at the whole picture. "

Lupfer avoids fungicides, pre-emergents and most other chemicals. He is also extremely mindful of over-irrigation which he says "is the one of the most common causes of compacted soil. Saturation sucks the oxygen right out and eventually kills the soil." When test results are in, Lupfer uses both granular organic fertilizer and compost teas with the help of Compost Queen Lynn Bement who is adamant about getting the landscape off a "junk food diet" and "increasing soil biology to enhance plant resistance to pests and disease." Steve Neumann, logic.lawn.care, incorporates soil building programs into his lawn maintenance. After testing 75 properties, he learned what sustainable practices worked, and what didn't. "In the long run," he says, "it costs less from a business point of view." Lupfer concurs. "The installation looks better and maintenance looks better. Plants don't just survive. They thrive." All of which puts money in your pocket. And helps business grow.

Marilyn spent over 20 years in the ad biz at a big agency downtown Chicago. She left ten years ago when she discovered plants, and recently earned her BS from UIUC in Horticulture Management. She is a charter MELA member and Chair of the Communications Committee.

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