Page 3 - LandscapeSAIssue118

WATER WISE
CONTENTS

ISSUE 118

The beauty of soil

Soil is one of the most important resources on Earth. Healthy soil is a living ecosystem
filled with a variety of micro- and macro-organisms, which underpins food security
across the world. Without healthy, well-functioning soils, food availability is threatened,

as good quality food filled with nutrients can only come from healthy soils. Good quality
soil is also great for water conservation. Water Wise discusses why.

The formation of soil is dependant on the breakdown of the you need to do to improve it. A simple test to identify the soil type
parent rock, and the type of soil results from the type of rock, as is to add a very small amount of water to your soil, then take a
well as the size of the soil particles. For example, clay soil is made handful of soil in your hand and roll it into an oblong shape. Sandy
up of tiny particles that are tightly packed together, with little soil will break up CONTENTS
organic material. Clay soil becomes sticky and saturated when when it is rolled, loam can be rolled but will have some cracks, and Green Roots 4
wet but holds few air pockets. Sandy soil, on the other hand, is clay will be able to be bent when rolled and have no cracks. 2022 ILASA Awards of Excellence 8
made up of much larger particles and contains large pockets of
air. Water drains through sandy soil very easily, which means it Soil type also has a great influence of the type and amount of The Forest 13
can dry out quickly. Loamy soil is a mix of clay and sandy soils, irrigation used in a landscape or garden. Sandy soils should be Cape Town lets the flowers grow 16
and is a great substrate, as it holds water well while allowing air irrigated frequently with small amounts of water so that water Invasive alien plants for
to circulate. It also contains organic matter and micro-organisms, does not infiltrate too deeply, but rather stays in the root zone sustainable aviation fuel 17
which makes it a very healthy soil. of the plant. For clay soils, irrigation should be applied on and off
over a longer period of time so that water is able to slowly seep Taking the long view On the Cover
Any soil type can be improved by adding compost. Compost, into the soil. Loam soil is the easiest to irrigate, as water stays in when restoring grasslands 20 A tranquil, interactive water feature at Green
Roots. See article on page 4.
which is organic matter, improves the aeration of soil, as well as its long enough for the plants to use it but not so long that soil gets Talborne Urban Organics is acknowledged for
water-holding capacity. Compost can easily be made using kitchen water logged. Landscaping Services Feature sponsoring the front cover.
scraps such as vegetable peels, newspaper and grass clippings Landscaping Standards 22
or leaves that have fallen in the garden. Compost also provides Soil erosion is a major environmental problem world-wide, as
food for soil organisms such as earthworms, and enriches soil healthy top soil full of nutrients and
with nutrients and minerals. Organic mulch like compost is great organisms is washed away. It can take
as it releases nutrients as it breaks down. By improving your soil 200 to 1 000 years to naturally form just Grant Gove | grant@talborne.co.za | www.talborne.co.za
you are able to save money on fertilisers and your water bill, as 2.5 cm of new topsoil. It is essential to
healthy soil retains water for longer. conserve and protect our soils. Healthy
soils create a healthy world. PUBLISHER SALES EXECUTIVE JOHANNESBURG OFFICE:
By identifying the type of soil that you have, you can decide what Nico Maritz – 011 327 4062 Brenda Visser – 068 181 4041 Tel: 011 327 4062, Fax: 011 327 4094,
brendav@eiapublishing.co.za
nico@eiapublishing.co.za
Now Media Centre, 32 Fricker Road,
PRODUCTION lllovo, Johannesburg
EDITOR Chris Grant – 082 498 7660 www.eiapublishing.co.za
Karyn Richards – 011 327 4062 chrisg@nowmedia.co.za
karynr@nowmedia.co.za
DESIGN
SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Diane van Noort Copyright: No part of this publication may
Martin Fourie – 072 835 8405 d2vn@mweb.co.za be reproduced without the permission of
martin@eiapublishing.co.za the publishers. The views of the contributors
and advertisers are not necessarily those of
www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo Landscape SA nor of the publishers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
Landscape SA • Issue 118 2022 1