Answer:
Explanation:
The correct answer is a. Create and incorporate compost into the soil.
The EPA's GreenScapes 5-Step Plan for building and maintaining healthy landscape soil advocates the practice of creating and incorporating compost into the soil.
The key points from the EPA's GreenScapes 5-Step Plan are:
1. Test the soil and adjust pH as needed
2. Create and incorporate compost into the soil
3. Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
4. Select appropriate plants for the site conditions
5. Minimize or eliminate pesticide and fertilizer use
Specifically, the plan recommends creating and incorporating compost into the soil as a way to improve soil health and fertility. Compost adds organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms to the soil, which helps support plant growth and maintain a healthy soil environment.
In contrast, the other practices mentioned in the question are not recommended by the EPA's GreenScapes plan:
b. Compressing the earth by applying heavy weight, especially when the soil is wet, would compact the soil and harm soil structure.
c. Vegetation removal and soil sterilization would disrupt the natural soil ecosystem and lead to poor soil health.
So the EPA's GreenScapes 5-Step Plan clearly advocates creating and incorporating compost into the soil as a key practice for building and maintaining healthy landscape soil.