Urban Soils

How to Properly Dispose of Unwanted Medications

Alexander J. Reisinger

Soil Characteristics and Management Practices for Urban Residential Landscapes

Brian J. Pearson

Urban Soils in Tampa: Key Physical and Chemical Properties in an Urban and Urbanizing Watershed

Donald Hagan, Francisco Escobedo, Gurpal Toor, Cynnamon Dobbs, and Michael Andreu

Sources and Transformations of Nitrogen in Urban Landscapes

Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary G. Lusk, and Ashley R. Smyth

Soils and Fertilizers for Master Gardeners: Urban Soils and Their Management Issues

Gurpal S. Toor, Amy L. Shober, and Alexander J. Reisinger

This article is part of a series entitled Soils and Fertilizers for Master Gardeners. The rest of the series can be found at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_soils_and_fertilizers_for_master_gardeners. A glossary can also be found at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG457.

The Importance of Soil Health for Residential Landscapes

Sally Scalera, Alexander J. Reisinger, and Mary Lusk

Soil Compaction in the Urban Landscape

Amy L. Shober, Geoffrey C. Denny, Alexander J. Reisinger, and Eban Z. Bean

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Urban Water

Urban Soils in Gainesville, Florida, and Their Implications for Environmental Quality and Management

Donald Hagan, Cynnamon Dobbs, Francisco Escobedo, Wayne Zipperer, Zoltan Szantoi, and Basil Iannone

Urban planners, environmental scientists, and land managers understand the ecosystem services provided by the urban forest, yet soils, which form an essential part of the urban ecosystem and provide many important ecosystem services as well, remain largely overlooked. Soil survey maps or urban forest assessments do not even describe urban soils. This publication will shed light on how and why soil properties vary across Gainesville and provide useful information on the management of urban soils.

Understanding Soil Fertility from an Urban Grower Perspective

Lakesh K. Sharma, Ravinder Singh, Ayush K. Sharma, and Hardeep Singh

The excitement of watching a seed sprout into a flourishing plant is a joy for all who cultivate their own urban gardens. Many think of soil as a mere support for those plants, a substance that anchors them into the ground. However, soil is a dynamic and life-sustaining medium that nourishes plants. There is a complex ecosystem beneath the soil surface, composed of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and countless microorganisms. Understanding soil fertility is vital to plant growth. This publication is written for individuals tending to lawns, shrubs, trees, or flowers in urban settings. It introduces essential terms of soil fertility, explains the role of soil properties in supporting healthy plants, and familiarizes readers with methods to enhance soil fertility within the context of urban settings. It also serves as a guide to empower non-farmers and urban residents, offering insights into plant nutrient requirements and the principles of effective nutritional care.