Tips for building a healthy soil

Soil is the foundation for your plants. Focus on building a healthy soil, and your plants will benefit.

Have your soil tested. Determine pH, salts and nutrient levels.
Look at your soil. Is the soil rich in organic matter, does it have earthworms and does it hold moisture? Read Assessing Soil Quality to learn more.
Desert soils have little organic matter. Add organic matter, such as compost, regularly to help hold nutrients and moisture in the soil. For landscape areas, dig in organic matter to a depth of 6 to 12 inches and mix well. Be careful not to damage the roots of existing plants.
In vegetable beds, consider growing cover crops and green manures. These are temporary plantings that protect the soil from erosion and add organic matter. Turn them into the soil 2 to 3 weeks before planting new seed or plants. Learn more about cover crops.
Never dig or till a soil that is wet. This will destroy the soil structure.
Minimize tillage to maintain soil structure and reduce erosion.
Test how well water soaks into the soil. Dig a hole, fill it with water, and see what happens. The water should seep into the soil at a minimum rate of ½ inch per hour. If drainage is poor, mix in organic matter and consider plant drainage requirements.
Avoid compacting the soil. Limit vehicle or foot traffic, especially on wet soil.
Keep bare soil covered with mulch or cover crops, so you don't lose it.
Pesticide use can affect the organisms living in the soil that help break down the organic matter and make nutrients available to plants. Minimize use of pesticides whenever possible.

Photo os a person digging a hole
_{To learn more about your soil, dig a hole and look for signs of organic matter, earthworms and roots.}

Hefner, M. 2019, Tips for Building a Healthy Soil, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. IP

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Also of Interest:


Living With Fire Program Needs Assessment and Evaluation The Living With Fire Program, a 25-year-old wildfire preparedness initiative, recently conducted a needs assessment and evaluation to adapt to evolving community dynamics. Key Restaino, C. and Putz, T. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-22-17
CodeRED in Washoe County If an emergency arises in Washoe County, public agencies utilize CodeRED to inform the public. Registering for CodeRED increases the likelihood that residents will receive these urgent notifications. Roice-Gomes, J., Adams, J., Kay, M., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-120
Sign up for Emergency Notifications Local Emergency Notification Systems, commonly known as Reverse Dial, are used by safety officials to send phone calls, emails and texts to a specific area with a prepared message during an emergency. Kay, M. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, IP
What did we learn from the Caughlin Fire? Jamie Roice-Gomes and Ashley Andrews break down 5 lessons learned following the Caughlin Fire Andrews, A. and Roice-Gomes, J. 2019, Nevada Today
What is defensible space and how do I create some around my home? University experts help homeowners to make homes more fire safe Smith, E. and Andrews, A. 2019, Nevada Today

Associated Programs

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Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.

Tips for Building a Healthy Soil