What are soil aggregates?
The ground beneath your feet might seem like a uniform material, but it’s really a mixture of soil particles, organic matter, and other mineral/organic components. For a soil to be […]
Category Archives: Infrastructure
How much compost is enough for my garden?
Adding compost to a garden is a good idea. But, like most things in life, is it best to do it in moderation? To answer that question, you need to […]
How does the Freeze-Thaw cycle impact soil?
Have you ever seen a heavy, solid rock that’s been seamlessly broken into thin plates by some invisible force? Or have you observed those eerily perfect circular patterned rock formations […]
What are those wavy bands in the soil?
Editor’s Note: You may have noticed bands in soil along roadsides, or on hikes. Soil scientists refer to these bands as lamellae [luh–mel-ee]. They are interesting areas of soils, formed […]
What is “porous pavement” and how does that help soils capture and clean water?
Porous pavement can look just like regular pavement, but it has an important environmental benefit. It allows water to trickle down through the usually impermeable street or sidewalk. This means […]
How do wetlands protect land and water?
Originally, wetlands were thought of as wasted land that could be drained for agriculture, building housing developments and other structures. Even the word “swamp” implies that they are areas with […]
Why do the Loess Hills of Iowa need to be farmed in terraces?
Soil formed in loess, or wind-blown silt, is great for farming. Its soft texture contributes to its productivity, but also increases its susceptibility to erosion. To combat this issue, farmers […]
