| With pollution, threat of global warming and the | | | | soil. Make sure that you use a method that does |
| newfound green kick, people are looking into | | | | not make the soil overly fine. |
| ways of keeping our planet sound. One good way | | | | 5. Physical structures made of earth, stone or |
| to do this is soil conservation. | | | | other organic materials can aid in protecting soil |
| Soil conservation is the prevention of soil eroding | | | | against uncontrolled runoff and erosion. With a little |
| from the earth's surface, or otherwise becoming | | | | bit of design, it can also retain and direct water to |
| altered by overuse, acidification or contamination. | | | | where it is needed most. The best structure will |
| So how do we begin? Well, here are 10 ways to | | | | depend on climate and the need to either |
| conserve soil: | | | | discharge or retain runoff; the size of your garden |
| 1. Gardening. Grow plants that are indigenous to | | | | or farm; and the texture and depth of your soil. |
| your area. It can be interesting to make | | | | 6. Another good piece of construction is a wind |
| something grow outside of its usual domain, but | | | | barrier. Built at the boundaries of a farm, this will |
| the local flora have been there for a very long | | | | help stop the wind from blowing soil away. |
| time and aid in conservation. Another thing to do | | | | 7. Plant patches of high grass. Allowing your grass |
| is to plant trees and shrubs. These can provide | | | | to grow to at least three inches will promote |
| shelter for your soil, while the roots will help to | | | | retention of water in the soil. This is especially |
| prevent excess water from washing it away. | | | | useful for runoff of your physical structures. |
| 2. Keep your soil moist, but do not drown it. This | | | | 8. Create an organic mulch for your plants. This |
| can be especially difficult during dry months. But | | | | will maintain soil temperature and minimize erosion. |
| over-watering can not only wash away soil, but | | | | 9. Plant vegetation that will assist in the protection |
| cause it to degrade. Should your soil dry up, | | | | of your soil, like rye or clover. They will protect |
| though, it should be easy to fix by lightly covering | | | | by thickly covering the ground and they will |
| with damp piles of mulch. | | | | restrict weed growth and reduce runoff. |
| 3. Of all the 10 ways to conserve soil, this may | | | | 10. The best time of day to water your plants is |
| be one of the more enjoyable. It may be tricky | | | | early in the morning, when evaporation is low. |
| at times, but keeping enough vegetation strong, | | | | Watering in harsh sunlight can dry out your soil. In |
| healthy and growing will bind the soil together and | | | | the late evening, watering can cause the growth |
| protect its surface. | | | | of fungus. |
| 4.Find a suitable tillage method for your location, | | | | By trying out these 10 ways to conserve soil, not |
| amount of rainfall and variety of plant life. Tillage | | | | only can you plant a beautiful garden, but you can |
| will optimize the biological and physical condition of | | | | also help protect the planet. |