Making Smart Decisions When Choosing a Soil Stabilizer

For many years, the term soil stabilizer made environmentalists cringe. Construction and landscape architects needed a way to stabilize soil so that landscaping features, hillsides, highway medians, golf courses, and other large areas of soil would bond together and remain resistant to erosion. But the only stabilizers available in past decades were highly toxic to animals, humans, and even many plant species.

Fortunately, a wide range of soil stabilizing compounds is available today, and most are environmentally safe. They are also more technologically advanced, and allow us to be more creative when we think of landscaping and practical usage. Many are rated for use with a specific soil classification, so that’s an excellent place to start.

The Twelve Types of Soil

Since 1975, soil has been classified according to Soil Taxonomy, a book by the USDA. The 12 basic types of soil are: gelisols, histosols, spodosols, andisols, oxisols, vertisols, aridisols, ultisols, mollisols, alfisols, inceptisols, and entisols. Confusing? We know. A county extension office or local university agriculture department can help you classify your soil so that you’ll know which type of stabilizer to order.

Once your soil is classified, stabilizing methods appropriate to your classification can be researched. For some soil types, crushed stone is a sufficient stabilizer, and this is a very environmentally friendly option, though it will not allow you to grow grass or other plants.

But for many soils, a chemical stabilizer is necessary. Make sure to choose a non-toxic or low-toxicity stabilizer, especially if you live near wetlands. Many of these treatments help retain moisture, enhance seed germination, and eventually they biodegrade.

If in doubt, check with a local fertilizer dealer, landscaping company, or even a golf course. Make a smart decision regarding soil stabilization. You’ll be glad you did. Properly stabilized soil is healthy, resists erosion, and will provide an excellent medium for grass or plants. And you’ll be doing the environment a favor!

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