Improving Soil Structure & Case Studies. Eric Berntsen State Water Resources Control Board

Transcription

1 Improving Soil Structure & Case Studies Eric Berntsen State Water Resources Control Board

2 SEVEN PRINCIPLES of River-Friendly LANDSCAPING 1. Landscape Locally 2. Landscape for Less to the Landfill 3. Nurture the Soil 4. Conserve Water 5. Conserve Energy 6. Protect Water & Air Quality 7. Create Wildlife Habitat

3 3. NURTURE THE SOIL Protect from erosion and compaction Build living soil with organic compost and sheet mulching Apply organic mulch to protect and enrich soil Feed soils naturally and avoid synthetic, quick release fertilizers

4 "The history of every nation is eventually written in the way in which it cares for its soil" Franklin D. Roosevelt

5 What happens when we maintain/improve soil quality? More nutrient and water retention Less need for fertilizer, pesticides, etc. Filtering and decomposition of toxins

6

7 Ideal Soil Structure for Plant Growth Air 25% Mineral 45% Water 25% Organic Matter 5%

8 Soil Texture

9 Particle Percentage Total depth = 4 inches Sand depth = 1 ½ inches 1.5 divided by 4 =.38x100= 38% (40) Silt depth = 1 ¼ inches 1.25 divided by 4=.31x100=31% (30) Clay depth =1 ¼ inches 1.25 divided by 4=.31x100=31% (30)

10 Soil Textural Triangle

11 BUILD LIVING SOIL Healthy soil biology, full of micro-organisms forms the foundation for the entire site ecology Similar to the role of plankton in the ocean Creates soil structure Stores and cycles nutrients protect plants from pests Improves water infiltration and storage Filters out urban pollutants

12

13 LIVING SOIL STRUCTURE

14 PROTECT FROM EROSION AND COMPACTION Stockpile topsoil for later use in the landscape. (max 6 height) Protect stockpiles from erosion Specify earthwork construction during the dry season Control equipment and foot traffic on site and protect planting areas from damage and compaction Coordinate with utility layout and design Aerate compacted soils and incorporate compost

15 Healthy Soil Food Web Benefits Suppress Disease (no more pesticides!) Retain Nutrients (reduce run-off, leaching) Nutrients Available at rates plants require (eliminate fertilizer) Decompose Toxins Build (re-build) Soil Structure Reduce Water Use, increase water holding capacity, rooting depth

16

17

18

19 Fungi attacked by bacteria in anaerobic conditions Fungal hypha DIC Microscopy; Bacteria 250X

20

21

22 Ciliates Soil Salmon

23

24

25 Compost Restores soil biology - contains over 1 billion microorganisms in one teaspoon Forms soil aggregates, allowing air and water to flow through. Turns soil into a sponge able to absorb and infiltrate onsite water Organic Compost preferred over nitrified sawdust contains living organisms that feed soil web Certified compost OMRI, STA General guidelines: 2-4 tilled into top 6 12 soil

26 BUILD LIVING SOIL Sheet Mulch composts weeds or lawn in place

27 UTILIZE MULCH Apply minimum 2 layer mulch over all planting beds Utilize local, recycled, organic mulch from tree trimmings Avoid forest product mulches Reapply as needed Keep away from root crowns and trunks

28 Case Studies

29 Landscape irrigation runoff (aka. urban slobber ) is a major cause of water quality pollution.we can improve water quality by keeping more rainwater on site (rainwater harvesting); and creating landscapes that require less water REQUIRED IN NEW STORMWATER PERMITS!

30 Good News the Model Ordinance achieves Waterboard interests Soil Management Report gets at soil quality Landscape Design Report gets at the nonstructural stormwater BMPs Irrigation Design Report gets at the urban slobber issue

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50 Building a Rain Garden The Farm on Hurley Way August 29, AM Instructors: Eric Berntsen and Greg Gearheart California State Water Board, Sacramento

51 Rain Gardens Three Questions Where do I put the rain garden? at least 10 feet away from foundation, not over septic, etc. How big to I make it? depends on soils, area draining to it, depth, and slope. Need to provide berm. What do I plant it with? Larger gardens can support more diversity. Must use plants that are moisture tolerant (e.g., Carex barbarae) Larger gardens can accommodate more diversity

52

53

54 Symbol B D E F G J P Q S T Scientific Name & Common Name Genus: Carex Tumulicola Berkeley Sedge Genus: Mulenbergia Rigens Deergrass Genus: Juncus Effusus Common Rush Genus: Mimulus Guttatus Seep Monkey Flower Genus: Carex Elata Bowles Golden Grass Genus: Koeleria Macrantha June grass Genus: Juncus Patens Common Rush Genus: Potentilla Glandulosa Sticky Cinquefoil Genus: Bidens Laevis Joaquin Sunflower Genus: Deschampsia Caespitosa Tufted Hair Grass Plant Count (280 ft 2 area) Plant List for Hurley Rain Garden Height Soil Type/Drainage Sunlight Requirements Other 14 2ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Evergreen Grass-Like. Can be mowed to about 8". 6 5ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Evergreen Grass. Can be inundated with water. Recommend some summer irrigation to maintain appearance. 12 4ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Evergreen Grass-Like. Requires summer irrigation. Can be inundated with water. 30 1ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Annual or winter dormant perennial. Requires summer irrigation. Yellow flowers in spring ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Needs ample moisture. Will grow in standing water. 4 2ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Perennial. Recommend occasional summer irrigation for appearance ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Evergreen grass-like plant. Requires summer irrigation. Can be inundated with water. 30 2ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Perennial. Requires summer irrigation. White to yellow flowers in spring. 20 1ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Annual or perennial. Requires summer irrigation. Small yellow flowers in summer. Can be inundated with water 8 2ft Tall All Soil Types Full Sun Evergreen grass. Requires summer irrigation. Can be inundated with water

55

56

57

58

59

60

61 Sources of Information Soil Biology Primer ( ogy/biology.html) River-friendly landscaping guidelines ( Soil Science Simplified andteaming with Microbes Sustainable Landscape Construction A Guide to Green Building Outdoors By J. William Thomson and Kim Sorvig

62 Sources of Information

63 Eric Berntsen