It S All in the Dirt Soil Testing Lab

Gardening Project 2013

You are working for a GardenzRUs, a local landscaping/garden design and building company and have been given the task of designing a garden for a local homeowner (me). The homeowner has some specific requirements that need to be met. After analyzing the soil, assessing the site, and researching the suitable plants for the site, you will draw up a plan for the garden to present to the homeowner and hopefully win the company the contract to build the garden thereby securing your employment for another week(s) .

Background Information:

The homeowner needs to replace her sewage pipes where they run out of the house and join up with the main sewage lines under the street. The sewage pipes run out from the house under the basement window. She owns a side by side duplex (she lives on one side and rents out the other, but is responsible for the landscaping for both sides) that has 2 separate sewage pipes so this needs to be done on both sides. This will involve digging up the current gardens and patios. Currently she has 2 small gardens under each window, but the soil is full of grass and grass seed. Every summer she fights a losing battle with trying to keep the grass from choking out her plants.

Since everything will be dug up in order to replace the sewer lines, she wants to start over again from scratch and get rid of the patio stones, making the entire front of both sides into garden. She does not care if both sides are the same or different. As sheis not an avid gardener, she wants a low maintenance garden that does not need much weeding or watering. She knows that native species are the best suited for this. She is also concerned with the decline of bees, so she’d like to have some native plants that might attract natural pollinators and help provide them with a source of food.

Specs:

south facing/full sun all day
between sidewalk and house/concrete

Concerns:

soil full of grass seed
day lilies have taken over parts of both gardens, wants to get rid of them
awnings above windows prevent rain from getting to areas closest to house under windows
flowering dogwood on side A is very close to foundation – concern with roots
some tulips and other bulbs on both sides that can be dug up and replanted
would like to save the bleeding heart on side B and the irises on side A&B and either transplant in back of house or replant these
a small tree/shrub is a possibility on side B (too close to neighbour’s crab apple tree on side A)

Steps:

Visit site, take pictures, assess environmental conditions, collect soil samples.
Test soil to see what nutrients lacking, in to advise on treatment program.*
Research suitable plants for soil and environmental conditions.
Draw up plan for garden.*

*to be submitted and marked

It’s All In the Dirt – Soil Testing Lab

In this lab you will perform tests on the garden you are going to be designing to help you determine the quality of the soil. Students will work in groups of 3 and each group will test one of the 4 different soil samples taken from the gardens . They are as follows: #1 –under the window on side A, #2 –next to steps on side A, #3 – under the window on side B. #4 – next to steps on side B. The tests you will perform are pH, nitrates, phosphorus, potassium, moisture content, and porosity. Be sure to wash all glassware both before and after using it.

Purpose:To test soil to see nutrient levels to assist with garden design.

Materials:

soil test kitsbeakersmicrowave

electronic balancegraduated cylindersoilwater

Method:

Fix the soil sample following the instructions on the soil sample kit.
Test the pH according to the instructions on the soil sample kit.
Carry out the nutrient tests for N, K, P according to the instructions on the soil sample kit.
Measure the moisture content of your soil sample.

a) Place a beaker on the balance and tare it so it reads 0.0g, then add 10 g of soil.

b)Place the beaker in the microwave for 5 minutes.

c)Remove the beaker from the microwave (use gloves/tongs) and place the beaker on the balance. Record results in observation table.

d)Determine the mass of the water in the soil as a percentage (mass before drying – mass after drying x 100).

Measure the porosity (amount of air space in soil).

a)Add soil to a graduated cylinder until you reach the 250 mL mark, this is the initial bulk volume of the soil.

b)Add water from a 2nd graduated cylinder into the soil until the water level reaches the 250 mL mark.

c)Determine the percentage pore value by dividing the volume of water added to the soil by the bulk volume of the soil. Multiply this by 100 to express it as a percentage.

Observations: Record all test results in the observation chart provided. Share results with other groups to complete chart.

Discussion Questions:

Is there any difference between the gardens in regards to soil quality? Explain.

What other factors should be taken into consideration when choosing the plants/design of the gardens?

Suggest a treatment plan/soil quality improvement plan that should be followed in order to prepare the garden before planting.