When we envision a beautiful garden, our attention is often captured by the vibrant colors of flowers, the rich green of leaves, or the appealing textures of different plants. Yet, beneath all this visible beauty lies a crucial component that dictates the health and success of nearly everything we grow: the soil. Here in Colorado Springs, our soil can present some unique characteristics. Understanding what’s happening under your feet and learning how to nurture it is one of the most rewarding steps any gardener can take on. It’s the foundation upon which a thriving, resilient, and beautiful landscape is built. We want to explore the nature of our local soils and provide practical ways to improve them, ensuring your plants have the best possible start and continued support.
What Makes Colorado Springs Soil Unique?
The ground beneath our feet in the Pikes Peak region has its own distinct personality. Generally, many areas tend to have soils that are alkaline, meaning their pH is above neutral. This can affect how easily plants can access certain nutrients. Texturally, you might find your soil is predominantly clay, which can be heavy and slow to drain, or quite sandy, which drains quickly and may not hold onto water or nutrients well. Some fortunate spots might have a naturally loamy soil, which is a more balanced mix.
Our high altitude and semi-arid climate also influence soil development. Over time, these conditions can lead to soils that are lower in organic matter compared to regions with more rainfall and lusher natural vegetation. Challenges can include compaction, especially in newer developments where heavy equipment may have been used, making it difficult for roots to penetrate. The availability of essential plant nutrients can also be tied to the soil’s pH and organic content. Recognizing these common traits helps us understand what actions will be most beneficial for creating a supportive growing medium for our colorado landscaping efforts.
Getting to Know Your Soil: Simple Observation and Testing
Before you can effectively improve your soil, you need to get a sense of what you’re working with. You can learn a lot through simple observation. What color is it? Darker soils often indicate more organic matter. How does it behave when wet? Does water puddle on the surface for a long time (suggesting clay), or does it disappear almost instantly (suggesting sand)?
A classic way to get a feel for texture is the “squeeze test”. Take a handful of moist (not wet) soil and squeeze it gently in your hand. If it forms a tight ball that stays together and feels slick, you likely have a good amount of clay. If it feels gritty and crumbles apart easily, it’s sandy. If it forms a loose ball that holds its shape but crumbles when poked, you might have a nice loam.
While these hands-on methods are helpful, for a more detailed understanding, a soil test is invaluable. A soil test can tell you the precise pH of your soil, the levels of key nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, and the percentage of organic matter. Many local nurseries or your county extension office can provide information on how to get a soil test done. The results will provide specific guidance on what amendments your soil might need. This information can save you time and money by ensuring you’re adding only what’s necessary.
The Magic of Organic Matter
Regardless of your soil’s specific type or test results, one amendment is almost universally beneficial: organic matter. Organic matter is essentially decomposed plant and animal material. Think of things like compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mold. Adding organic matter can work wonders for almost any soil type.
If you have heavy clay soil, incorporating organic matter helps to separate the fine clay particles. This improves soil structure, creating better drainage and aeration, which means more oxygen can get to plant roots. It makes the soil less likely to become waterlogged and easier for roots to grow through.
If your soil is on the sandy side, organic matter acts like a sponge. It helps the soil retain moisture that would otherwise drain away too quickly, and it also helps hold onto vital nutrients, making them available to your plants for longer. It effectively gives sandy soil more substance. We often encourage gardeners to add organic matter in whenever they prepare a new planting bed or as a top dressing around existing plants.
Amending Your Soil: What to Add and When
Once you have an idea of your soil’s needs, you can choose the right amendments.
Compost is often called “black gold” by gardeners, and for good reason. It’s arguably the best all-around soil improver. Compost is rich in nutrients, improves soil structure, boosts beneficial microbial activity, and helps balance pH. You can make your own compost from kitchen scraps and yard waste, or you can purchase bagged or bulk compost. When preparing new garden beds, we recommend working a generous amount of compost into the top 6 to 12 inches of soil.
Other organic amendments can also be very useful. Aged manure (never fresh, as it can burn plants) is a good source of nutrients. Peat moss can help acidify soil slightly and improve water retention, though its use is sometimes debated due to the sustainability of harvesting it; coir (coconut fiber) is often suggested as an alternative. Cover crops, like rye or clover grown and then tilled into the soil, are another excellent way to build organic matter up over time.
If your soil test reveals a very alkaline pH, you might need to take steps to lower it for acid-loving plants, though it’s often easier to choose plants adapted to alkaline conditions. Elemental sulfur can be used to lower pH, but it should be applied cautiously and based on soil test recommendations, as over-application can harm plants. A knowledgeable Colorado Springs landscaper can provide guidance on significant pH adjustments.
Fertilizers, whether organic or synthetic, supply specific nutrients. Understanding the N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) ratio on fertilizer labels helps you choose one that meets your plants’ needs, often guided by your soil test. It’s generally best to apply fertilizers when plants are actively growing and can utilize the nutrients.
Practical Techniques for Soil Improvement in Your Landscape
Improving your soil isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing process. When creating new perennial beds, vegetable gardens, or areas for shrubs, take the time to thoroughly amend the soil with compost and other necessary additions before planting. For trees, it’s beneficial to improve the soil in a wide area around the planting hole, not just in the hole itself, to encourage roots to spread.
Even established lawns can benefit. Top-dressing, which involves spreading a thin layer of compost over the lawn, can gradually improve the soil underneath. “Sheet mulching” or lasagna gardening is a no-dig method where layers of cardboard, compost, leaves, and other organic materials are stacked to create a rich new garden bed right on top of existing turf or poor soil. We can show you how to set this technique up for amazing results.
Soil Health and Its Connection to Water-Wise Landscaping
Healthy soil plays a vital role in water conservation, a key consideration for any Colorado garden. Soil rich in organic matter acts like a sponge, absorbing rainwater and irrigation more effectively. This means less water runs off the surface and is wasted. Improved infiltration also means water penetrates deeper, encouraging plant roots to grow deeper and become more drought-tolerant. Plants growing in healthy, well-draining soil are generally more vigorous and better able to withstand periods of dryness. Therefore, efforts to improve your soil directly support water-wise colorado landscaping practices.
Working with Professionals for Optimal Soil Success
For new landscape installations or significant garden renovations, many landscaping companies Colorado Springs make soil preparation a priority. They understand that good soil is the key to the long-term success of the plants they install. They may offer soil testing services and can develop custom amendment plans based on the specific conditions of your site. If you’re undertaking a large project, having professionals handle the initial soil preparation can save you a lot of heavy work and ensure it’s done correctly.
Finishing Thoughts
The soil beneath your feet is a complex, living ecosystem, and its health is fundamental to the success of your garden. Investing time and effort in understanding and improving your soil is one of the most impactful things you can do to create a thriving, beautiful, and sustainable landscape in Colorado Springs. By nurturing your soil with organic matter and appropriate amendments, you provide your plants with the foundation they need to flourish for years to come. We trust these insights into soil improvement encourage you to dig in and cultivate not just plants, but a rich and supportive earth for them to grow in. Explore our other blog topics for more ways to enhance your outdoor spaces.