Yonah Drive Athens

Here is just another case of soil compaction. In a healthy terrestrial ecosystem the soil breathes, exchanging gases. Compacted clay particles lay flat suffocating most soil organisms.

To alleviate this plastic bag over the head effect, we bore holes in the ground throughout the affected areas.

We fill these holes with screened compost that is derived from local organic residuals. These organics include: Ground Wood, Food Residuals and Animal Mortalities.

Composted Topsoil is installed into areas for raised beds.  We do this with shovels and wheelbarrows to avoid further damage to the soil that would be created by using a Skid Loader or other heavy equipment.

We have installed 6 to 8 inches of soil into these beds. That will be sufficient to establish a nice planting.

In areas where working with compacted clay on the surface, little or no organic matter and soil erosion, we will apply a thick layer of  ground wood waste mulch. Here we're applying about 6 inches.  The material is of varying sizes particles.  This along with the vertical mulching  utilizing the screened compost will accomplish a number of things.

Foremost on that list is Soil Respiration.  Next is Water Infiltration.  Soil Erosion is another problem that is fix, as well as building an Organic Layer and establishing a healthy Rhizosphere.  All of these things are part of  the Carbon Cycle and help sustain a healthy Biosphere.