Welcome to the second installment of the GreenBox Action Guide, a weekly series that provides you with a fun and engaging blueprint to make your yard more beautiful, abundant, and sustainable. Each week, we'll drop a simple, creative tip to make your outdoor space more eco-friendly while contributing to a healthier planet. We'll introduce you to cool permaculture concepts, tell you all about native birds, bugs, and plants, and give you a few simple steps you can take to put this knowledge into action.
Let’s work together to cultivate sustainability—one yard at a time! The first couple Guides will be free to everyone, but if you want to keep growing become a Member today for as little as $23/month!
Contents
Kick those Winter blues
Soil is much more than the dirt beneath our feet—it's a vital, living system that supports all life on Earth. This dynamic resource provides the foundation for plant growth, regulates water cycles, stores carbon, and serves as a habitat for countless microorganisms. Yet, soil is often overlooked, and its health is jeopardized by modern agricultural practices, pollution, and urban development.
In this week's Action Guide we’ll explore the fascinating make-up of soil, why it matters for thriving ecosystems, and actionable steps you can take to build and maintain better, healthier soil for future generations.
Core Concept: Understanding and Building Healthy Soil
Soil is the foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems, playing a critical role in sustaining life on Earth. Composed of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms, soil is a dynamic and complex resource. Its importance cannot be overstated since it supports plant growth, regulates water, filters pollutants, and serves as a habitat for countless microorganisms. Healthy soil underpins food production, supports biodiversity, and mitigates climate change by acting as a carbon sink.
The make-up of soil is intricate. Minerals derived from weathered rocks form its base, providing essential nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Organic matter, including decomposed plant and animal material, enriches the soil and improves its structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. Pores in the soil hold water and air, vital for root growth and microbial activity. A healthy soil ecosystem teems with life—bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and insects work synergistically to break down organic matter, cycle nutrients, and improve soil health.
Healthy soil is essential for productive landscapes and sustainable ecosystems. Poor soil health, often caused by erosion, compaction, chemical contamination, or nutrient depletion, can lead to reduced plant growth, diminished water quality, and biodiversity loss. As stewards of the land, GreenBoxers, and the communities you live in, can take actionable steps to build and maintain better soil.
Compost and Mulch: Incorporating organic matter, such as compost and mulch, into the soil boosts nutrient levels, improves moisture retention, and promotes beneficial microbial activity.
Reduce Tillage: Minimizing soil disturbance helps preserve its structure, retain moisture, and protect the organisms living within.
Plant Cover Crops: Cover crops, such as clover or rye, prevent erosion, improve soil fertility, and suppress weeds.
Use Native Plants: Native plants are well-adapted to local conditions and require fewer resources, helping to maintain soil health.
Avoid Synthetic Chemicals: Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can harm soil organisms and lead to long-term degradation.
By taking these steps, individuals can contribute to the regeneration of soil, turning barren or degraded landscapes into vibrant, productive ecosystems. Healthy soil is not just a medium for plants—it's a living, breathing system that sustains all life on Earth. Investing in its care is an investment in our collective future.
Take action: Play in the dirt a little and check your top soil depth
Now that you know how important soil is to life, it's time to get outside and start getting dirty. Since soil is the foundation of life, it's important to know how your soil is doing is how you can improve it. In this activity, you're going to observe top soil depth and see how "alive" your soil is.
Goal(s)
Check the starting soil depth in 3 locations around your yard.
BONUS GOAL: Send soil samples to get tested for minerals and pollution.
What you'll need
A trowel
A ruler or tape measure
Paper and pencil
Gloves (if you don't want to get your hands dirty)
Time to complete
20 minutes
Action steps
To get started grab everything you need and go outside.
Choose a location in one of your existing beds.
Use the trowel to dig up a 4" x 4" section of soil, about 6" deep. Make sure to keep the soil together so that you can observe the different layers.
Pull up the soil sample and lay it on its side.
Use the ruler to measure the the depth of the top soil. In Georgia the tops oil layer should be very easy to see, since the layer immediately below the top soil layer is red clay. You'll be looking for the layer that is black to dark brown just below the surface.
Mark down the location, date, and depth of the top soil. Also note if you found any bugs like earthworms or larvae.
Replace the soil sample and step on it firmly to reattach to the sublayer.
Repeat steps 2-7 in TWO (2) more locations around your yard. Make sure one location is in the middle of your lawn.
Now, ask yourself the following questions. Right your answer in your notebook:
Why is it important to measure the depth of topsoil in your yard, and what does this tell you about soil health?
What observations can you make about the differences between the topsoil layers in the three locations you tested?
What signs would indicate that your soil is “alive,” and why is this important for healthy landscapes?
As a bonus, request a soil testing kit from the UGA Extension Office and follow the directions to see the chemical make-up of your soil and potential pollutants.
Plant of the week: Bottlebrush buckeye
Bottlebrush Buckeye: A Stunning Shrub for Shade and Wildlifer
Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a striking deciduous shrub known for its showy, bottlebrush-like flowers and sprawling growth. Native to the southeastern United States, this plant is perfect for shaded areas and makes a dramatic statement in woodland gardens. In midsummer, its creamy-white flower spikes attract pollinators, while its lush foliage and fall color provide year-round interest. With minimal maintenance and excellent adaptability, bottlebrush buckeye is a favorite among gardeners looking to add beauty and ecological value to their landscapes.
Key Facts
Sun requirements: Partial to full shade but can tolerate morning sun. Too much direct sunlight may cause leaf scorch in hotter climates.
Water requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and benefits from regular watering, especially during dry spells. It’s moderately drought-tolerant once established.
Height: 8-12 feet tall, with a wide, spreading habit.
Spread: 8-15 feet, creating a dense, multi-stemmed mound.
Natural habitat: Native to shady, moist woodlands of the southeastern United States, it thrives in rich, loamy soils.
When to prune: Late winter or early spring to shape the plant or remove any dead or damaged branches.
When it flowers: June through July, produces long, showy flower spikes.
When to collect seeds: Collect seeds in late summer to early fall, when the spiky seed pods have matured and begun to dry.
Uses: Primarily ornamental, bottlebrush buckeye is perfect for shade gardens, hedges, and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
When to harvest: Seeds are not edible and should only be harvested for propagation or craft purposes.
Animal of the week: Earthworm
Earthworms are among the most important creatures for maintaining healthy soil. These wriggly, unassuming animals play a critical role in improving soil structure, fertility, and drainage. By burrowing through the earth, they create tunnels that allow air and water to penetrate the soil, benefiting plant roots and microorganisms. Earthworms are nature’s composters, breaking down organic matter into nutrient-rich castings that enrich the soil. Whether in a backyard garden or a sprawling farm, earthworms are vital allies for anyone who wants lush, thriving plants.
Key Facts
Size: Earthworms vary in size depending on the species. Common earthworms, such as the nightcrawler, can grow 3 to 12 inches long, while some tropical species can reach up to 10 feet in length!
Natural habitat: Earthworms are found worldwide in soils that are moist, rich in organic matter, and free of pollutants. They thrive in gardens, forests, meadows, and agricultural fields.
What it eats: Earthworms feed on decaying plant material, leaves, and soil. As they consume organic matter, they break it down and excrete nutrient-packed castings, which act as natural fertilizer.
Why it's good for the garden: Earthworms improve soil aeration, increase water infiltration, and enhance nutrient availability. Their castings boost soil fertility, while their burrowing activities improve drainage and root penetration. They also help decompose organic matter, turning garden waste into valuable compost.
How to attract it: To encourage earthworms, maintain moist soil, avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and add organic matter like compost, leaf litter, or mulch to your garden beds. Avoid excessive tilling, as it can disturb their habitats.
Fun fact: Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning each worm has both male and female reproductive organs. Despite this, they still require a partner to reproduce.
Kidd's Corner: soil safari
This fun activity introduces your "kidds" to the wonders of soil by exploring its textures, colors, and the living creatures that call it home.
Materials
A small bucket or container
A magnifying glass (optional)
A plastic spoon or small trowel
Paper and crayons
A clean towel or blanket to sit on
Instructions
Set the Scene:
Gather the kids outside and explain that they’re going on a "Soil Safari" to discover what makes soil so special.
Talk briefly about how soil helps plants grow, provides homes for bugs, and even cleans water.
Dig and Discover:
Choose a small patch of soil (a garden, park, or yard).
Use the spoon or trowel to dig a shallow hole, about 4 inches deep.
Let the children gently scoop up soil and place it in the bucket or container.
Explore the Soil:
Encourage the children to touch and feel the soil (let them use gloves if they prefer).
Ask them to describe the soil: Is it soft? Crumbly? Wet or dry? What colors do they see?
Use a magnifying glass to look closely for tiny creatures like ants, beetles, or earthworms.
Soil Rubbings:
Give each child a piece of paper and a crayon.
Place a small soil clump under the paper and rub the crayon across it to make soil texture art.
Talk about how the patterns show different parts of the soil, like sand, clay, or small rocks.
Return the Soil:
Carefully pour the soil back into the hole and pat it down gently.
Explain that just like animals need homes, the soil needs to stay in its place to stay healthy.
Wrap Up with Fun Facts:
Share an engaging fact, like how a teaspoon of healthy soil can hold more living organisms than there are people on Earth.
Outcome
Through digging, touching, and observing, your kids learn that soil is more than just dirt—it’s a world full of life and a vital part of our planet!