In Maple Valley and the surrounding area, the soil you’re planting in plays a major role in how your landscape performs. The good news? You can improve most soil types with just a little knowledge and effort.
Here’s what to look for:
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Heavy Clay: Sticky when wet, rock-hard when dry. Needs lots of organic matter and good drainage planning.
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Sandy Loam: Loose, easy to dig, and drains fast. Great for root veggies and Mediterranean plants.
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Silty Soil: Feels smooth and holds water well, but compacts easily. Mixing in coarse materials like bark fines can help.
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Mixed Soils: Many yards in the PNW contain glacial deposits, which means you may have a bit of everything.
What You Can Do:
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Use compost liberally — it improves drainage in clay and moisture retention in sand.
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Choose plants that match your soil (e.g., sword ferns and vine maple do well in heavier soils).
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Mulch beds each fall to keep improving your soil year after year.
The more you understand your soil, the better your garden will thrive — and the less guesswork you’ll have to do.