Part of becoming a successful landscaper is constantly seeking out new techniques and knowledge that will help you make improvements. That means keeping an open mind when it comes to trying out new things and exploring all of the great landscaping products that are available to choose from. For example, perhaps one of the most important things to learn about is the quality of your soil and how you can improve it. If your soil is lacking nutrients, too compacted, or not the right consistency, your plants will have a hard time growing and your landscaping will suffer as a direct result.

If you’ve ever had to figure out why your plants aren’t growing the way that you want, the chances are good that it was related to the soil. That’s the beauty of using a landscaping product like soil amendments. They can be used to change and improve the soil and make sure that your plants have the right environment to reach their full potential. We are going to break down a few of the important things that every landscaper should know about soil amendments below so that you understand just how much potential this powerful landscaping product has. Remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils today if you are interested in purchasing landscaping supplies like soil amendments at great prices.

What are soil amendments?

As we mentioned earlier, soil amendments are landscaping products that are used to change and improve the quality of your soil. Oftentimes confused with fertilizers, soil amendments are anything that is added to the soil in order to improve its abilities. For example, adding soil amendments to your landscaping can improve things like water retention and absorption along with adjusting the pH levels in the soil. There are several different types of soil amendments to choose from, which we will detail more on later, but the bottom line here is that every landscaper should know just how valuable this product can be in helping them achieve their overall goals.

Soil Amendments Modify the Condition of the Soil

You might be asking yourself how soil amendments actually work. When you are adding them into your garden soil or the soil on your landscape, you are literally amending the soil to make it more suitable for plant growth. They can make it easier for the roots of your plants to develop and allow water to better penetrate the soil. If you have a new lawn, you can mix the soil amendments into the soil before planting time so that it gets off to a great start. Adding soil amendments to established lawns is also easy, as you can simply apply a layer to the surface and add water.

Soil pH Levels Are Very Important

If you aren’t sure of the pH levels in your soil, you should probably perform a soil test to find out. That’s because the pH levels in your soil are an essential component to the overall success of your landscape. Your lawn on the plants on your property need to soak up a variety of different nutrients to grow, and pH plays a crucial role in helping them get those nutrients. Most plants do well when the soil pH level is a little bit acidic, in a range of 6.0 to 7.0 pH. When the soil is high-alkaline, it will prevent your plants from absorbing all of the nutrients in the soil and cause your landscaping to suffer as a result. The same can be said when the pH level of the soil is too acidic.

It’s important to recognize that your soil pH level is constantly changing. Most landscapers will use fertilizers on their lawn that can alter the pH levels. Watering can also change the pH levels in your soil. That’s why it’s a good idea to perform a soil test at regular intervals so that you can determine exactly what your soil is made up of and learn which soil amendments are the right choice for your unique situation. If you have any questions about soil testing or soil amendments, connect with one of the experts at Cal Blend Soils today.

There is a Variety of Different Soil Amendments to Choose From

If you’ve never purchased soil amendments before or you simply aren’t sure of the options that are available, it’s a good idea to learn a little bit about some of the most common choices.

Lime is one soil amendment that is typically used to help restore the pH levels in the soil. It’s great for acidic soil because it can raise the soil pH and help your lawn absorb nutrients from things like fertilizers. Gypsum is one option that can help you modify the soil without making any serious changes to the pH levels in your soil. It’s best for compacted clay soils and can really help the plants develop strong root systems.

Some landscapers go with organic matter like rotted leaves and other natural materials to amend their soil. This is a good option because it normally adds beneficial microorganisms into the soil and helps to improve its consistency. Sulfur is another popular soil amendment that is used when you have a high alkaline level pH in your soil. Some plants, in particular, need low pH levels in the soil to grow, which is another smart way to use sulfur to amend the soil.

Final Thoughts

Soil amendments are a great way to keep your landscaping looking great and to address any issues with the pH levels of your soil. There are plenty of different options to choose from and each one has something unique to offer, so keep that in mind before you decide on any particular one. As a reminder, you can always reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are in need of advice about soil amendments or you want to purchase high-quality landscaping products at great prices.