Different crops or plants have various needs, and hence, the best landscaping starts with soil preparations. Soil modifications give your new plants the best chance to thrive in the site you select for them. With soil amendments, you may change the soil type (texture), pH, salinity, and increase nutrients value of the soil. Even remediate the toxic materials from soil.Therefore, my question is there any international or national standard or specifications to prepare soil for landscaping for different purpose, in which basis the specifications have been prepared, and what is an important parameter, that should be concern, when you start to prepare soils for landscaping (soil texture, pH, nutritional content or soil free from contaminant material. Etc…).
Dear Md. Abdalla,
We prepare our farmland for cultivation by subsoiling, bottom plowing, analyzing the pH and micronutrient constituents and determining amendment requirements. Gardeners can have the same success if they employ similar techniques on a smaller scale. Applying compost in a variety of methods can solve a multitude of soil issues.Mulch provides the background for many landscaped areas in both home yards and public landscapes. It also helps retain moisture, adds nutrients to the soil and prevents weed growth. The ground cover comes in different colors and materials, giving some flexibility of use. Mulch works well around plants, under play equipment, along pathways and around other landscape features. Preparing the ground before adding the mulch results in a better end product that creates a polished landscape appearance.
Step 1
Identify the purposes for using the mulch. Determine if it is purely aesthetic, for plant health or as a protective ground cover for play areas.
Step 2
Choose the ideal time for adding mulch to the landscape. Waiting until later in the spring allows the ground to warm. Adding mulch too early prevents the ground from warming naturally. Adding mulch in the fall or winter helps protect plants in colder temperatures.
Step 3
Mark the area that will receive the mulch. Take measurements of the area to help estimate the amount of mulch needed to cover the area. Use landscape edging to create the perimeter of the area. This prevents the mulch from migrating out of the designated area.
Step 4
Remove any weeds from the area that will receive the mulch. One of the purposes of mulch is to prevent weed growth. Removing those weeds before the mulch gives it a head start in the weed prevention area.
Step 5
Water any plants in the area to prepare them for the mulch application.
Step 6
Add landscape fabric as an additional weed barrier, if desired. Cut the landscape fabric to fit the area and lay it in place before adding the mulch.
Step 7
Install the edging material if you plan to use it. Line the perimeter of the area receiving mulch with the edging material.
Step 8
Fill the area with the selected mulch. Apply 1-to-2 inch layer of landscaping material to avoid damage to the plants.
Regards,
Prem Baboo
Setting soil quality and site preparation standards for landscaping projects needs to be site and purpose specific and so no one standard will do. There are National standards but they vary in application and usefulness. A couple of examples added from Australia and UK. They have limitations and you really need to engage a soil scientist if the project is large or complex. Different types of plants have very different needs in terms of nutrition and drainage, so one way to minimise the amount of preparation or amelioration is to match the plants to the site / soil conditions initially. some types of planting like turf need quite high inputs. "wildflowers" or native meadows need low fertility for maximum diversity and to prevent weeds from taking over etc. So its a hard question to answer without knowledge of what you are trying to achieve - but I suggest a national or international standard will not help you very much. Regards
Andrew
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Dr. Andrew Butler has given very good pints for consideration. I agree to these.
Yes it is true, different types of plants/soils have very different needs in terms of nutrition and drainage. Site specific soil and nutrient management is needed to be worked out for different plants and situations.
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