*Soil Conservation Tips*

- *Keep soil covered*: Use mulch, cover crops, or ground cover plants. Bare soil washes or blows away.

- *Add compost*: Improves soil structure, water retention, and feeds microbes.

- *Plant trees & shrubs*: Roots hold soil in place and break wind/water flow.

- *Avoid tilling*: No-till or low-till keeps soil structure and fungi intact.

- *Plant across slopes*: On hills, plant and plow along contour lines, not up/down.

- *Use cover crops*: Plant rye, clover, or radishes in off-seasons to protect soil.

- *Rotate crops*: Alternate different plant families each season to keep soil balanced.

- *Create windbreaks*: Rows of trees/shrubs reduce wind erosion on open land.

- *Build terraces*: Level steps on steep slopes slow water runoff.

- *Capture runoff*: Rain gardens or swales let water soak in instead of carrying soil away.

- *Limit foot traffic*: Stepping on wet soil compacts it. Use paths or boards in gardens.

- *Reduce chemicals*: Too much synthetic fertilizer/pesticide harms soil life. Use organic matter when you can.