Soil quality has a significant impact on plant growth and development. Soil quality reflects how well a soil performs the functions of maintaining biodiversity and productivity, partitioning water and solute flow, filtering and buffering, nutrient cycling, and providing support for turf grass, gardens, plants and other structures.

Soil quality is commonly assessed based on a particular soil's ability to retain and transfer nutrients and water to the plants. Other factors that determine soil quality include its ability to sustain root systems and healthy bacteria, as well as its response to upkeep or maintenance practices and its ability to resist soil degradation.

Soil quality cannot be measured directly so we evaluate indicators. Indicators are measurable properties of soil or plants that provide clues about how well the soil can function.

Examples of soil quality indicators:

• Soil Organic Matter - Soil fertility, structure, stability, nutrient retention; soil erosion
• Physical Structure - soil structure, depth of soil, infiltration and bulk density; water holding capacity
• Chemical Structure - pH, electrical conductivity, available nutrients and potential
• Biological Structure – microbial biomass, soil respiration

It is recommended to assess various aspects of soil quality in early spring before planting, as well as in the spring, summer/fall, late fall and winter. Indicators that may help in assessment include observations of earthworm activity, compacted soil layers, water infiltration and plant vigor.

In establishing a baseline understanding about soil quality we can recognize changes as they develop. Performing soil testing and using baselines to determine if soil quality is deteriorating, stable, or improving, can determine what type of a soil blend is needed for any given project.