Cultivating Healthy Soils in Boulder

Did you know?

“Soils contain approximately 75% of the carbon pool on land–three times the amount stored in all living plants and animals.” (Ecological Society of America)

Why care about soil?

Soil is the foundation for all life on Earth (including us)! Cultivating healthy soil is one of the most important actions you can take to support a strong ecosystem, from the ground up. Soils full of living organisms can absorb more water and store more carbon, making them an important tool in fighting climate change and other environmental concerns.

What can you do to cultivate healthy soils?

The best things you can do to cultivate healthy soils in your outdoor space are:

Apply compost!
Use mulch to hold in moisture.
Plant native plants.
Minimize disturbances like tilling or digging which disrupt the soil layers, and make walking paths to reduce compaction.
Reduce or eliminate chemical applications.

Want to learn more?

Take a look at these resources and the list of our community partners who can help you cultivate healthy soils in Boulder!

Resources for Cultivating Healthy Soils

Carbon-Farming Toolkit

This toolkit showcases current carbon farming practices and gives recommendations to those looking to engage in community carbon sequestration, including individuals with access to yards, educational centers and programs, small business owners and entrepreneurs, advocacy groups, and municipalities. Developed by the University of Colorado Masters of the Environment Eco-Cycle Capstone team in partnership with Eco-Cycle.

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Boulder Compost Sorting Sign

A poster with guidance for sorting compost, in English and Spanish.

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Check Out These Community Partners

Featured

Rocky Flora Landscapes

Inspired by Colorado's landscape, Rocky Flora’s mission is to integrate nature seamlessly into our designs and constructions, creating inviting spaces that transform your garden, expanding your home.

The Colorado Native Seed Company

The Colorado Native Seed Company grows and sells native grass and flower seeds.

Soil Transformations

Soil Transformations is founded and led by Christine Gust, a Certified Lab Technician. Her work is focused on educating people about the roles and importance of soil microbes and how to grow and diversify the soil food web community.

Wild Ones - Front Range Chapter

Wild Ones Front Range hopes to support everyone who wants to add more native plants to their part of the Front Range, from a handful to a yard full. They have an extensive library of native seeds and often host plant/seed exchanges and workshops.

Suelo Bueno LLC

Suelo Bueno is a consulting group who broadly focuses on the rebuilding of urban and suburban ecosystems through planting native plant species (including grasses, flowering plants, shrubs, and trees), building optimal soil health, and environmentally attuned use of water.

Boulder Mushroom

Boulder Mushroom has dedicated its mission to the development of prolific mushroom strains which are adapted to locally available substrate materials, while also cultivating the highest quality culinary and medicinal mushrooms for our growing community.

Earth Love Gardens

Earth Love Gardens was founded upon a vision of a world living in community and authentic connection with each other through connecting with the Earth. Their services services include building and installing raised garden beds and hoop houses, pollinator gardens, and other beautiful and functional landscape designs.

Edaphic Solutions

Edaphic Solutions mission is to provide the highest quality non synthetic soil and plant care through innovating classic techniques into the modern world. They provide services such as applying compost tea and managing weeds using steam.

Eco-Cycle

Eco-Cycle launched recycling in Colorado in 1976, and today is one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit recyclers and a leader of the Zero Waste movement. They work with every sector of the community to innovate, implement, and advocate for local and global Zero Waste solutions to foster a more regenerative, equitable, and climate-resilient future.

Resource Central

Resource Central is an award-winning non-profit dedicated to helping people save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste. Their “Garden in a Box” program and lawn removal services are transforming yards in the Boulder area.