SOIL

A Learning & Teaching Team Topic by H.O.P.E. from the Garden

Building and Maintaining Healthy Soil


A gardener's primary concern is the soil that covers the land and the organisms that grow in or live on it.

One of the areas that the the H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Planet Endure) Project focuses on is understanding the soil/food web and its impact on how we work with the soil. We strive to:

  • Build and maintain healthy soil
  • Minimize the use of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicide, etc.) and synthetic fertilizers
  • Reduce lawn areas
  • Incorporate native plants and trees into our gardens
  • Provide a healthy wildlife habitat


bird habitat

Craig Fraker demonstrating Hügelkultur



Instructional Video
presented by GPMGA's Master Gardeners -
the H.O.P.E. from the Garden Soil Team ...


Part 1 - (0:00) Native Plant Green Mulch, by Pat Lust
Part 2 - (2:17) Jadam Microbial Solution, by Craig Fraker
Part 3 - (4:35) Broad Fork Aeration, by Katrina McIntosh


bird habitat
bird habitat

Katrina McIntosh discussing cover crops


Horticultural Topics on SOIL by our H.O.P.E. from the Garden Learning and
Teaching Teams
available to attend & presented by GPMGA's SPEAKERS BUREAU

Bokashi Composting
Composting with Worms
Top 10 Vermiculture Questions
Symbiosis in the Soil: The Secret Relationship of Plants' Roots and Fungi
Building a Healthy Plant Organically
Rebuilding Soil:
Partnership with Nature (Regenerative Gardening)
Erosion

If you're a member of a civic organization, garden club
or other group,
click here to "Request to Book"
a speaker to talk to your group.
Or
visit our CALENDAR for a class scheduled in the area.


H.O.P.E.
SOIL Workshops
presented by GPMGA's
H.O.P.E. Soil Team

From the Soil UP
INTO the Soil
LIFE in the Soil


“Out of the long list of nature’s gifts to man, none is perhaps so utterly essential to human life as soil.” – Hugh Hammond Bennett




Virginia Cooperative Extension


Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.