Over the weekend, I was reading an article about soil management that had several interesting points that could help everyone that has a yard. The article was the ANSI standards for soil modification that are under public review through March 22. These are just a few situations that I see all the time. If you would like to read the complete article, you could go to www.tcia.org/standards/CurrentProjects.htm. I will put a few comments in []'s.

14 Soil modification practices

14.1 Soil modification objectives shall include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Protect existing roots;

-Enhance root development; and,

-Maintain tree health.

14.2 Soil modification practices shall include one or more of the following:

-Evaluating site soil conditions;

-Managing soil organic matter content; and,

-Soil texture;

-Soil profile;

-Soil structure (bulk density);

-Soil depth;

-Presence of impermeable layers and height of water table; and,

-Organic matter levels.

14.3.4 Soil testing should be done prior to designing, planting and or developing management plans for landscapes.

[Amen, we have preaching this for years]

14.4.4 When organic matter is incorporated into the soil, compost should be used. [Using compost will prevent nutrient tie up and weed seed or disease introduction.

Cotton burr compost is great for this because it lasts for years in the soil instead of weeks.]

Since these standards are so important to the health of our trees and landscapes in general, I will continue with soil modification next week.

The cold weather has given us an extension on getting out our pre-emergent products for small seeded annual weeds. Paul (Super Garden Hero) and I had some real positive comments about the use pre-emergent products on the "Garden Clinic" (WTMA noon to one Saturday) this past week. Pre-emerge now, boat or golf later.

If you want to remove the balls from your Sweetgum trees, now is the time. Hurry up or you will have another year of spiny balls in your yard.

(Bill Lamson-Scribner can be reached during the week at Possum's Landscape and Pest Control Supply. Possum's has three locations 41 Long Point Rd in Mt. Pleasant (971-9601), 3325 Business Circle in North Charleston (760-2600), or 606 Dupont Rd, in Charleston (766-1511).  Bring in your questions to any location.)