{"id":656,"date":"2024-10-09T06:39:56","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T06:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/castco.wpenginepowered.com\/?post_type=ht_kb&p=656"},"modified":"2024-11-13T15:06:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T15:06:41","slug":"visual-evaluation-of-soil-structure-vess","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/castco.org\/knowledge-base\/visual-evaluation-of-soil-structure-vess\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidance: Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Based on Vidacycle\u2019s approach<\/em>. You can download the one-page visual guide of this information.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Locate your chosen sample site<\/strong>: If you have done the test previously, use the GPS mapping feature on Soilmentor to find the same spot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Dig<\/strong>: Dig out 3 sides of a square as wide as your spade, going down by around 20cm (if possible).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Remove soil<\/strong>: Lever the soil block out of the ground (leaving one side undisturbed by the spade), and place on tray\/bin bag.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Take a photo<\/strong>: Take a photo of the undisturbed side of the block.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Identify and measure top layer<\/strong>: Look for a difference in colour and consistency of the soil, near the surface. This is the top (turf) layer of the soil – measure the depth and record in Soilmentor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Break the top layer apart<\/strong>: Looking just at the top layer of soil, begin to break it down gently in your fingers until you have clumps of soil about 1.5-2cm in your hand. Follow the VESS scoring guidelines (separate sheet) and record results in the app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Measure and break bottom layer apart<\/strong>: Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the bottom layer of soil.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Results uploaded to Soilmentor should include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. VESS depth (top)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. VESS score (top)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. VESS depth (bottom) <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. VESS depth (bottom)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Photos<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Don\u2019t forget to take photos of you doing your soil sampling and of the results!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Photo\/video credits: Vidacycle<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n