What is the California state soil?
As you know, many states have a designated state bird, flower, fish, tree, rock, etc. And, many states also have a state soil – one that has significance or is […]
Category Archives: Infrastructure
How can soil scientists tell the history of a location from a soil pit?
There are many reasons why soil scientists dig soil pits. They all revolve around collecting information to address a question or a management problem. And sometimes they hold more questions […]
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 […]
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 […]
