Soil Tech

Native California Plants Reaching Critical Levels

blogger — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:00:42 +0000

Scientists from the University of California recently conducted several studies on native plant species in the California reserve to uncover whether exotic or introduced plants to the region really were dissolving native wildlife. The results were astounding, as scientists found that not only were native species falling to critical levels, they were essentially being “weeded” out by other plant life.

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The native species, when grown in areas of exotic grasses which are abundant, were found to have been growing too far apart from one another to adequately seed for regrowth. These plants also struggled obtaining vital nutrients.

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Additionally, the growth in “isolated patches” increased the threat of fire and inability to survive. The study compared potted plants of native species that were grown separate in the same conditions, but without the introduction of an exotic species.

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While it’s hard to say what may increase the growth of native species back to their normal levels, it will take expertise and hard work. Learn more by visiting www.Soil-Tech.com.

New Information Discovered About Pests and Native Species

blogger — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:00:28 +0000

A recent study conducted in Washington found that pests are far more likely to be found on species that are commonly associated with weeds, rather than native species plants. The study also found that beneficial insects were approximately three times more likely to be found on native species plants.

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What this study means for individuals attempting to regrow and use revegetation practices is that they are likely able to do so, knowing that native species will thrive as long as weeds, foreign pests or non-beneficial insects, which are all kept at bay with effective pest control and management.

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This breakthrough study offers much hope for projects such as revegetation or desert restoration when it comes to determining what plant species will survive and how individuals can develop better pest management and regrowth plans. It is the tip of the iceberg on understanding what pests are doing to populations of well-maintained native plant species in the United States.

Streets in Need of Dust Control: Shah Bobo Jan Street

blogger — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:00:36 +0000

Over time, unpaved roads that become well traveled can leave people stranded or, more literally, unable to get from one side of the street to the other. In Kabul, Afghanistan, this is exactly the situation. An area called Shah Bobo Jan Street, part of a 900 mile stretch of road that is unpaved, has created havoc for those seeking passage through the area.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jerri on Pinterest

In the summertime, the road has little to no dust control, causing strong winds to blow dirt wildly, leading to devastating lung issues. In the rain or monsoon season, an impenetrable muddy road barely serves travelers who get stuck in the muck.

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There are actions that can be taken to help eradicate such issues as dust control, but they take time, effort and awareness. To learn about ways to improve the arid areas around you, contact Soil Tech for more information.

Nevada Desert Restoration Efforts Boosted with New Campaign

blogger — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:12 +0000

As new residents have become Nevadans with bad habits, and old residents have gotten looser about keeping their state in tip-top condition, the state of Nevada’s landscape has become increasingly filled with trash, debris and other less-than appealing garbage.

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Agencies for federal land management are finding mountains of used sofas, burnt vehicles and other disturbing remnants of trash in off shoots of the highways on desert land. But with the desert being a one-of-a-kind ecosystem that must be nurtured and cared for, several Nevadans have showed an interest in the cause and created a desert restoration campaign known as Don’t Trash Nevada.

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The main part of the campaign is to teach new Nevadans, as well as reteach the old about the fragile state of the desert’s ecosystem. Another aspect of the campaign focuses on explaining why it’s not a good idea to dump trash wherever and how it is impacting the environment in Nevada.

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In addition, the campaign attempts to teach individuals about the thousands of dollars and man hours it takes to clean up the illegally dumped trash. Learn more about this campaign and desert restoration by contacting Soil-Tech today.

Hydroseeding in the Southwest Could Help Restore Native Vegetation

blogger — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:00:03 +0000

In Arizona’s Ironseed Forest National Monument, a group of individuals gathers frequently to increase the vegetation of native species to the area following an outbreak of a foreign plant that is killing out the other native plants.

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With an area that’s known as a high-risk area for fires, it’s difficult for these individuals to dig up the foreign plants and weed them out, according to an interview with NPR. But one effective measure that may be consistent with their long-term goals of restoring natural species back to the area for enjoyment is hydroseeding.

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Hydroseeding is an effective way — first introduced in the 1950s — to effectively plant a mass amount of seeds to an area for regrowth. However, it isn’t for just any common Joe to try. It requires Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved professionals and high-tech equipment.

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The group of Arizona native species lovers struggling to restore life to this area would find true benefits in this highly productive method of plant renewal.

Contact Soil Tech to learn more about hydroseeding, as well as our other services!

Land Control and Restoration Project Brings Volunteers Together

blogger — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:50:45 +0000

A number of volunteers recently put on their sunblock and donned their shades to help restore an area known as Coyote Hole that had been recently donated to the Mojave Land Trust. The area, located near Joshua Tree in the southwest, had been damaged due to illegal campers and off-roaders in the area.

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Thanks to several local volunteers and their helpers, the area is being restored back to its original state, which will in turn help the native vegetation thrive and increase dust control to the area that has been trashed by so many.

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While the land will eventually be open to locals, according to a recent newspaper article, once it is preserved and wildlife as well as other native species return, the area will be closed to any active campers and hikers, in addition to illegal off-roading.

Learn more about vegetation and land restoration by contacting us for more information.

5 Dust Control Techniques for Unpaved Roads

blogger — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:49:09 +0000

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelsey on Pinterest

Dust control on dirt roads is an important concern, both for environmental and health reasons. To avoid paving a road over to get the dust under control, here are five other options to try first.

Reduce Traffic Speed

This is very simple: The faster a vehicle is moving on a dirt road, the more dust will be made. Slowing from 40 mph to 20 mph reduces dust drastically. You can add signs stating the speed limit to a road; but if you want to really make sure people slow down, you can add speed bumps or drainage tunnels.

Reduce the Wind

It’s common sense that more wind means more dust. Decrease the effects of the wind on dirt roads by adding windbreaks such as trees, shrubs, or fences. As an added bonus, these additions will also enhance the property’s appearance.

Water the Road

When dirt particles are wet, they stick together, making it less likely they’ll become dust. A single watering can last either for hours or days, depending on the weather conditions.

Cover the Road With Gravel

Gravel decreases the amount of dust on dirt roads by providing a hard barrier between a car’s wheels and the dirt. However, over time, the gravel will simply get pushed down into the dirt. For this to work as a long-term solution, the gravel must be mixed with aggregates or soil adhesives.

Increase Moisture Content

There’s another way besides watering a dirt road to increase the amount of moisture it contains. Adding a deliquescent salt such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride will absorb water from the air so the dirt particles are able to stick together, reducing the amount of dust. This method will work for about a year without reapplying the salt.

What is Hydroseeding?

blogger — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:56:18 +0000

Instead of using dry planting or sod to plant your seeds this year, how would you like to simply spray the area you want planted with a hose and be done with it? This is an option with hydroseeding, which could be extremely beneficial for your planting habits.

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Invented in the United States in the 1950s, it was first used in the UK in the 1960s. Hydroseeding works by spraying a slurry of seeds, mulch and additives such as fertilizer using a large hose. The slurry is usually stored in a tank that is kept either on a truck or trailer, although helicopters have been used to spray larger areas.

While it may seem more complicated that the usual dry or sod methods of planting, hydroseeding does have advantages. If you want to add seeds to a large area, hydroseeding takes much less time and will produce results more quickly. It works very well on hills to help control erosion, and makes placing the seeds easier. It costs less than using sod, although it does cost more than regular seeding.

If hydroseeding is something you’re interested in, it’s very important to have a knowledgeable professional working with you. We at Soil Tech are always happy to offer our expert advice!

The Importance of Dust Control on Our Roadways

blogger — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:46:04 +0000

Street cleaners help keep dust away

Have you ever been stuck behind a street cleaner on a back road and wondered why it’s so important for roads that few people see be dust-free? Dust control on the highways and even the lonely back roads is more important than you ever imagined!

Saving Money

When roads get dusty, they start to degrade. The dust works like sandpaper to erode the top layers, and eventually loosens the aggregate material. This means higher maintenance and repair of potholes.

Driver Safety

Dust decreases visibility, which is always a bad thing for drivers. Once the road starts to degrade, loose gravel can fly up and hit windshields, causing damage to the vehicle and sometimes accidents by startled drivers.

Healthy Locals

Excess dust is constantly stirred up and will drift into local homes and businesses, which can increase respiratory complications.

Land reclamation specialists will use calcium chloride to pull moisture from the air and keep the roads dust-free under even the harshest summer conditions. The mixture binds to the aggregate, keeping it together longer and thus requiring less maintenance. Who knew just how much we depended on road cleaners for our economy, safety, and health?

Main photo by: Gordon McDowell

How to Restore Soil Color in the Aftermath of a Wildfire

soiltech — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:10:59 +0000

If you’ve ever taken a road trip in your life, especially in the West, you’ve probably driven by vast hills of black, charred soil. Aside from being an eyesore, what other effects does this soot-colored soil have on the surrounding area? The truth is that the problem is more than just cosmetic; damaged soil from wildfires can have drastic and far reaching effects, such as disturbing the ecosystem, creating sandstorms, and even mudslides.

damaged soil can lead to mudslides.

Whether man-made or otherwise, the wildfires that cause this damage to the soil are a part of life. So what can be done to restore the land affected by fires back to its natural beauty? For over a decade, Soil Tech has worked to restore soil using its Accelerated Coloration Technology (A.C.T.). This product not only restores the natural color to the soil, but disperses seeds of native grass and plant life to accelerate the regrowth process. To learn more about soil color mitigation or rock stain, contact Soil Tech at (702) 873-2023.

Photo credit: MichaelOnTheTrail via photopin cc