Horticulturists and landscape managers are often highly skilled professionals with an extensive understanding of plant biology and growth requirements. However, despite this knowledge, the post-construction soil conditions in which new landscapes are often installed can undermine the success of plantings. In the best-case scenario, horticulturists with passion and perseverance provide attentive management to the plants to help establish the landscape, but this process can often require a deep dive into soil science, an area that many horticulturists may not be equipped to handle fully. The issue of urban soil is gaining increased attention from soil scientists, but a greater integration of horticulture and urban soil science is essential. Similarly to how soil science and crop science are often interwoven, a more holistic approach is needed to bridge the gap between plant knowledge and urban soil conditions. This would better equip horticulturists and landscape professionals to manage the complexities of urban environments. A notable example of this challenge can be found in downtown Oklahoma City, where three large public gardens have been developed within a one-mile span. Each garden presents its own set of unique challenges, including varying soil types, management timelines, and irrigation sources. Myriad Gardens, established in 1970’s has soil that has been disturbed and modified since the early 1900’s. With a complete garden renovation in 2012, Myriad has an average soil pH range of 6.7-7.7. Upper Scissortail previously, an industrial neighborhood was established in 2019 and constructed utilizing seven different soil formulas. With 1000 newly planted trees, poor quality well irrigation water, and a soil pH over 8.0, plant establishing has been challenging for the staff. Finally, Lower Scissortail built in 2022 was also developed with five soil formulas and like Myriad is on city water that has shown to be a better source of water. This case study highlights the complexity of managing urban landscapes and underscores the importance of addressing soil issues at the onset. For horticulturists, it is no longer enough to possess plant knowledge alone. They must also understand the intricate soil dynamics that can make or break the success of a landscape.
