7. First, Amendments

Interpretive Intent: Soil amendments such as organic material, fertilizers, gypsum, soil sulfur and trace elements can revive nutrient poor soil, increase water and nutrient holding capacity, improve aeration and aid in the healthy growth of plant material. Soil amendments are mixed directly and thoroughly into the native soil and also into the backfill to fill in the planting pit around the newly installed plant.

Exhibit Design: This exhibit is located in the Design and Planting Area adjacent to the soil wall directly north of the How to Shop at the Nursery Exhibit. Buckets hanging off the demonstration wall hold various types of soil amendments that can be touched and handled. Buckets which hold chemical amendments that should not be readily handled will have a Plexiglas locked lid. Amendments displayed will include organic types such as peat moss, earthworm castings, kelp meal, horticultural perlite, washed steer humus and garden gypsum, as well as chemical fertilizers and sulfur.

Signage will explain the benefits of soil amendments and how to test your soil to determine what may be needed. The use of organic amendments that are friendly to people, animals and the environment will be stressed.

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