Case Studies


Follow these links to successful construction projects using soil protection and amendment, compost use in erosion control, and other Low Impact Development methods from around the Northwest.

Soil Best Practices:

New Construction
  • Retain and protect native topsoil & vegetation where practical
  • Restore disturbed soils by tilling 2-3" of compost into upper 8" of soil
  • Loosen compacted subsoil, if needed, by ripping to 12" depth
  • Mulch landscape beds after planting
Existing Landscapes
  • Till in compost when re-landscaping
  • Mulch beds with organic mulches
  • Topdress turf with compost

The Puget Sound Partnerships's Low Impact Development website documents and links to a variety of private and public projects around Puget Sound. They combine soil best practices with other innovative, attractive, and cost-effective on-site methods for stormwater treatment, detention, and infiltration.

Seattle's Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Natural Drainage Systems, and RainWise websites show before and after photos, specifications, and descriptions of projects from small swale and "raingarden" retrofits to the 130 acre High Point development. All them use compost-amended soil to improve infiltration, clean runoff, and reduce the size or need for stormwater ponds and other detention structures.

Sustainable Landscaping Professionals shows case studies, guides, videos, and other training resources.

The Building Soil website shows other local projects using soil pest practices, along with handy factsheets for builders, developers, and designers.

Sustainable Sites is the first nationally-recognized rating system for sustainable site and landscape development. It includes soil requirements similar to Washington's, and links to case studies around the U.S.

Do you know of a project in the Northwest that belongs on this page? Send a short description, with your contact information, to Contact Us

 

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