Dry-Mesic or Dry soil - Ask Extension
Hello,
I am researching installing a native plant garden in the front yard of my home. I came upon a very helpful book from the library called &quo...
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Dry-Mesic or Dry soil #827285
Asked April 26, 2023, 1:34 PM EDT
Hello,
I am researching installing a native plant garden in the front yard of my home. I came upon a very helpful book from the library called "Gardening with prairie plants" by Sally Waskowski. She introduces prairie plant systems, gives design layouts and maintenance needs, and provides charts based on soil types and climate regions of prairie zones of North America. However, I am confused about what kind of soil I have. I know that I have clay soil that is alkaline, and that we have a linden tree and native maple in our front yard. But I am not sure if we have a dry-mesic or mesic prairie soil type. I tried looking this up and came across the Colorado Natural Heritage program, but I don't understand their maps. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction? I live in Aurora, CO between Buckley Space Force Base and the Aurora Mall, just west of West Tollgate Creek.
Thank you,
Jennifer Roberts
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for using Ask Extension.
The definition of mesic is "(of an environment or habitat) containing a moderate amount of moisture". Dry-mesic soil would have moisture that is consistent with the needs of the native plants in the habitat. Not as wet as riparian and not as dry as some other areas. Prairie habitat is often described as dry-mesic or dry. By creating the right soil conditions you will have success in your garden.
Colorado soils are clayey and alkaline as you state. The good news that most of our native are well adapted to these kinds of soils. If you plan your garden whether native, xeriscape or another type, around the plant's needs you should have success. Good drainage, soil preparation, soil amendments are important components to making the right conditions for a plant's success. We call it: "right plant, right place".
Colorado State University Extension has a number of publications that I think you will find helpful. Each one will talk about soil, moisture and sun requirements:
This first one has an excellent section on soil:
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRangeSm.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-shrubs-for-colorado-landscapes-7-422/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-trees-for-colorado-landscapes-7-421/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-retrofit-your-yard-7-234/
This Fact Sheet has an excellent section on "Soil Preparation" as well:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/
I hope you will find this information helpful.
The definition of mesic is "(of an environment or habitat) containing a moderate amount of moisture". Dry-mesic soil would have moisture that is consistent with the needs of the native plants in the habitat. Not as wet as riparian and not as dry as some other areas. Prairie habitat is often described as dry-mesic or dry. By creating the right soil conditions you will have success in your garden.
Colorado soils are clayey and alkaline as you state. The good news that most of our native are well adapted to these kinds of soils. If you plan your garden whether native, xeriscape or another type, around the plant's needs you should have success. Good drainage, soil preparation, soil amendments are important components to making the right conditions for a plant's success. We call it: "right plant, right place".
Colorado State University Extension has a number of publications that I think you will find helpful. Each one will talk about soil, moisture and sun requirements:
This first one has an excellent section on soil:
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRangeSm.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-shrubs-for-colorado-landscapes-7-422/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-trees-for-colorado-landscapes-7-421/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-retrofit-your-yard-7-234/
This Fact Sheet has an excellent section on "Soil Preparation" as well:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/
I hope you will find this information helpful.
