Polymers & Compost
Healthy Soils = Healthy Landscapes
Soil is considered the fuel tank for the landscape, and that fuel tank needs to hold water and nutrients for plants. Bend and Central Oregon generally has coarse soil with a sandy texture, fairly neutral pH, and tends to lack organic material. Soils often need to be amended to improve the water and nutrient holding capacity. Compost, composted or aged manure, ceramics, and polymers are just a few of the options to amend and condition soil to improve holding capacity and moisture retention. Improving holding capacity in soil reduces watering needs, improves soil absorption, and improves plant health reducing the need for fertilizer or other inputs.
A couple of inches of compost was applied to native Central Oregon soil. For improved holding capacity, mix compost into the top 6 inches of soil.
Water Whys Plant of the Month
Oregon Grape, Berberis aquifolium
The Oregon state flower, Oregon Grape is an evergreen small to medium shrub with shiny, stiff, leathery leaves with spines along the margins. Oregon Grape thrives in areas of shade and full sun, damp and dry conditions, is known to be deer and fire resistant and attracts pollinators.
Oregon Grape is also known as Mahonia aquifolium, although the genus of Mahonia is now included and accepted in the genus of Berberis.