Before we can determine whether or not our soil is sickly, a basic understanding of exactly what is going on down there might be handy! Soil is comprised of mineral and organic material, along with water and air. Soil is formed when rock is broken down into smaller fragments. There are three types of rock fragments that compose most soil: sand, silt and clay.

Sandy soil drains quickly without retaining water whereas soil comprised primarily of clay can store a lot of water, however it is more densely packed without much room for air. Much like human beings, plant roots are in constant need of both air and water. Therefore, ideal soil has a balance between the water-holding capabilities of clay and the aerating qualities of sand, much like a sponge.

Soil organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, insects and mites, play a huge part in shaping the soil's structure. These organisms help to move the soil around, creating channels through which water and air can travel. Keeping these little guys happy is the key to making sure your soil is healthy.

So how do you tell whether your soil's mites and worms are happy and healthy? The best way, according to Oregon State University, is to take a handful of dirt and look for three things. First, healthy soil should appear dark in color due to it being higher in organic matter and holding more water. Second, the soil should smell richly of earth without a sour odor. Finally, rub some of the soil between your fingers. Healthy soil will seem to contain crumbs which are created from the sticky materials secreted by healthy soil bacteria.

The Sneaky Red "Yucca"

Gene Freeman, Vice President and co-owner of Complete Landsculpture, brings an immense amount of experience to our organization. With 28 years of experience in the landscaping industry along with being as a Texas Certified Nurseryman, Gene knows exactly what he's talking about when it comes to what plants work best in our area.

So what plants does Gene recommend? Here are just a few of Gene's top picks:

Texas Sage - This popular water-saving ornamental brings a lot of color to your landscape without placing a strain on your water bill. With its silvery-gray leaves and bright pink-lavender flowers, the Texas sage fits great in any southwestern landscape. This perennial shrub flowers periodically for several months, generally following a summer rain. This has earned it the nickname "the barometer bush." It prefers part shade and dry soil.

Russian Sage - This sun-loving sage thrives in drier climates and puts on a beautiful lavender show starting in midsummer and continuing through the fall. Adding a Russian sage to your landscape can help draw in butterflies with its tall lavender stocks.

Abelia "Edward Goucher" - This abelia hybrid is within the honeysuckle family and is another great option for adding some lavender/pink tones to your landscape. It is considered an evergreen in areas where the temperature stays above zero degrees Fahrenheit. This colorful shrub thrives in full sun to part shade and requires a medium amount of water. The "Edward Goucher" prefers moist soil which drains easily. 

Red Yucca - This deceptively named yucca isn't even a yucca! It's actually a member of the Century-Plant family and produces yucca-like evergreen leaves with a five-foot-tall, coral-colored flower stalk. It is drought resistant, as you would imagine, and adapts to most soils. As mentioned earlier, the red yucca is great for attracting hummingbirds to your property. It prefers full sun and blooms through much of the spring/summer.

Texas Yucca - Whereas the red yucca pulls the old bait-and-switch, the Texas yucca isn't trying to fool anyone. Also known as the twisted-leaf yucca, this perennial produces flowering stalks reaching five feet high with white blooms. Beginning as a solitary straight leaf head, the Texas yucca quickly opens into a clump of several leaves which produce white hairs and become twisted with age. This true yucca is another great water-saver, blooming in late spring to early summer.