Lets talk soil

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Lets talk soil… Lets talk soil… An old gardeners Joke goes that “Soil” is An old gardeners Joke goes that “Soil” is what plants grow in, and “dirt” is what’s what plants grow in, and “dirt” is what’s found under our fingernails. found under our fingernails.

Transcript of Lets talk soil

Page 1: Lets talk soil

Lets talk soil…Lets talk soil…

An old gardeners Joke goes that “Soil” is what An old gardeners Joke goes that “Soil” is what plants grow in, and “dirt” is what’s found under plants grow in, and “dirt” is what’s found under our fingernails.our fingernails.

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Guide to Soil and Soil Guide to Soil and Soil TestingTesting

Importance of testingImportance of testing

Ph for optimal nutrient uptakePh for optimal nutrient uptake

Soil CompositionSoil Composition

Home soil tests Home soil tests

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Soil TestingSoil Testing

Testing Testing - Local Nurseries, State Extension Office, testing - Local Nurseries, State Extension Office, testing

companiescompanies

- Store bought test- Store bought test

TypesTypes- Ph test- Ph test

- Nutrient test- Nutrient test - Nitrogen, phosphorous, Potassium (NPK) - Nitrogen, phosphorous, Potassium (NPK)

Both are recommended yearlyBoth are recommended yearly- I recommend PH testing yearly and Nutrient every 3-- I recommend PH testing yearly and Nutrient every 3-

5years5years

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PH for DahliasPH for Dahlias

Slightly Acidic – 6.2 to 6.8Slightly Acidic – 6.2 to 6.8

Below 6.2 add Lime

Optimal Nutrient uptake 6.3

Above 6.8 add sulfur

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Nutrients - NPKNutrients - NPK

Nitrogen (N)Nitrogen (N)Stimulates Vegetative development. Necessary in production of Stimulates Vegetative development. Necessary in production of

leavesleaves

and stems.and stems.

Phosphorus (P)Phosphorus (P)Especially important in germination of seeds, metabolism of Especially important in germination of seeds, metabolism of

seedlings,seedlings,

ripening of seeds and fruits and general development of rootsripening of seeds and fruits and general development of roots

Potassium (K)Potassium (K)Promotes general vigor. Contributes to disease resistance. Promotes general vigor. Contributes to disease resistance.

Important toImportant to

sturdy root formation and developmentsturdy root formation and development

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My FertilizationMy Fertilization

1-2 lbs 20-20-20 to each 150 sq/ft bed prior 1-2 lbs 20-20-20 to each 150 sq/ft bed prior to tillingto tilling

At planting: each hole 1-2 tbsp. of a 20-20-At planting: each hole 1-2 tbsp. of a 20-20-20, bone meal and alfalfa meal mixture. 20, bone meal and alfalfa meal mixture. Why Why Because that’s what we were taught by our club!Because that’s what we were taught by our club!

General monthly fertilizing, after blooms General monthly fertilizing, after blooms begin reduce the nitrogenbegin reduce the nitrogen

• To much Nitrogen can adversely effect the overall health of To much Nitrogen can adversely effect the overall health of youryour

plants, leaves may look like the plant has a virus.plants, leaves may look like the plant has a virus.

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Soil CompositionSoil Composition

Soil composition is the mixture of silt, clay, Soil composition is the mixture of silt, clay, sand, and organic matter found in your soil.sand, and organic matter found in your soil.

It’s important to know what the mix is within It’s important to know what the mix is within your garden because it will affect the type your garden because it will affect the type and amount of fertilizer you use, how well and amount of fertilizer you use, how well your soil drains, how well it holds what you your soil drains, how well it holds what you plant in it, and how likely it is to wash away plant in it, and how likely it is to wash away in heavy rains or blow away in high winds.in heavy rains or blow away in high winds.

Soil composition indicates how alive your Soil composition indicates how alive your soil is—and the more alive it is, the better it soil is—and the more alive it is, the better it is for growing things!is for growing things!

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Healthy soil starts with the Healthy soil starts with the right proportion of sand, silt, right proportion of sand, silt,

and clayand clay Sandy Soil Sandy Soil allows for water and oxygen toallows for water and oxygen to

penetrate easily because sand particles are large.penetrate easily because sand particles are large.

However, water drains away too quickly, taking with itHowever, water drains away too quickly, taking with it

any fertilizer you may apply. On the positive side, it any fertilizer you may apply. On the positive side, it holds plenty of oxygen, plant roots have no problemholds plenty of oxygen, plant roots have no problem

traveling through it, and it’s easy to dig.traveling through it, and it’s easy to dig. Amend Amend Sphagnum Peat, Compost, Composted Sphagnum Peat, Compost, Composted

manures…retain moisture, prevent leachingmanures…retain moisture, prevent leaching

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Healthy soil starts with the right Healthy soil starts with the right

proportion of sand, silt, and clayproportion of sand, silt, and clay cont.cont.

Clay Soil Clay Soil opposite problem: because clay opposite problem: because clay particles are so small, they make it hard for oxygen to particles are so small, they make it hard for oxygen to get in, and whatever water gets in will have a hard get in, and whatever water gets in will have a hard time getting out, resulting in poor drainage. This type time getting out, resulting in poor drainage. This type of soil is difficult for plant roots—as well as spades and of soil is difficult for plant roots—as well as spades and hoes—to penetrate.  But don’t despair: this type of soil hoes—to penetrate.  But don’t despair: this type of soil is generally richer in nutrients than other types of soil, is generally richer in nutrients than other types of soil, so once you break it up, you won’t need to fertilize as so once you break it up, you won’t need to fertilize as much.much.

Amend Amend Gypsum, Sphagnum Peat, Compost, Gypsum, Sphagnum Peat, Compost, Composted manures..…prevent compaction of the soilComposted manures..…prevent compaction of the soilNote: Do Not add Sand to Clay Soil or Clay to Sandy Soil……

this can create a natural cement-like soil structure!

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Healthy soil starts with the right Healthy soil starts with the right

proportion of sand, silt, and clayproportion of sand, silt, and clay cont.cont. Silt Soil Silt Soil silt predominating in your soil is good silt predominating in your soil is good

news; such soil is ideal for gardening because silt news; such soil is ideal for gardening because silt particles are medium sized and usually result in good particles are medium sized and usually result in good soil drainage and aeration.  All you have to do is make soil drainage and aeration.  All you have to do is make sure your silty soil contains ample organic matter.sure your silty soil contains ample organic matter.

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Simple Soil Tests #1Simple Soil Tests #1

Ribbon TestRibbon Test

Soil-texture test. Dig up a tablespoon or so of soil and Soil-texture test. Dig up a tablespoon or so of soil and add enough water that you can roll it into a ball If you add enough water that you can roll it into a ball If you can't form a ball, the soil is sandy. Next, squeeze the ball can't form a ball, the soil is sandy. Next, squeeze the ball between your thumb and index finger to make a ribbon. between your thumb and index finger to make a ribbon.

The longer the ribbon goes before cracking, the more The longer the ribbon goes before cracking, the more clay you've got. Less than 2 inches is a pretty goodclay you've got. Less than 2 inches is a pretty goodcomposition. More than 2 inches means the soil is composition. More than 2 inches means the soil is clayish. The feel alone can also give you a clue ... sand clayish. The feel alone can also give you a clue ... sand feels gritty, clay feels sticky, and silt feels velvety slick.feels gritty, clay feels sticky, and silt feels velvety slick.

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Simple Soil Tests #2Simple Soil Tests #2

The Squeeze TestThe Squeeze Test To determine your soil type, take a handful of moist To determine your soil type, take a handful of moist

(but not(but notwet) soil from your garden, and give it a firm squeeze. wet) soil from your garden, and give it a firm squeeze.

Then, Then, open your hand. One of three things will happen: open your hand. One of three things will happen:

It will hold its shape, and when you give it a light It will hold its shape, and when you give it a light poke, it crumbles.poke, it crumbles.

Lucky you—this means you have luxurious loam! Lucky you—this means you have luxurious loam! It will hold its shape, and, when poked, sits It will hold its shape, and, when poked, sits

stubbornly in your hand. This means you have clay stubbornly in your hand. This means you have clay soil. soil.

It will fall apart as soon as you open your hand. This It will fall apart as soon as you open your hand. This means you have sandy soil. means you have sandy soil.

Now that you know what type of soil you have, you can Now that you know what type of soil you have, you can work on improving it.work on improving it.

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Simple Soil Test #3Simple Soil Test #3

The Percolation TestThe Percolation TestIt is also important to determine whether you have It is also important to determine whether you have drainage problems or not. Some plants, such asdrainage problems or not. Some plants, such ascertain culinary herbs, will eventually die if their roots certain culinary herbs, will eventually die if their roots

stay toostay toowet. To test your soil’s drainage: wet. To test your soil’s drainage:

Dig a hole about six inches wide and one foot deep. Dig a hole about six inches wide and one foot deep. Fill the hole with water and let it drain completely. Fill the hole with water and let it drain completely. Fill it with water again. Fill it with water again. Keep track of how long it takes for the water to drain. Keep track of how long it takes for the water to drain. If the water takes more than four hours to drain, you If the water takes more than four hours to drain, you

have poor drainage. have poor drainage.

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Simple Soil Test #4Simple Soil Test #4

The Worm TestThe Worm TestWorms are great indicators of the overall health of your soil,Worms are great indicators of the overall health of your soil,especially in terms of biological activity. If you have especially in terms of biological activity. If you have

earthworms,earthworms,chances are that you also have all of the beneficial microbes chances are that you also have all of the beneficial microbes

andandbacteria that make for healthy soil and strong plants. To do bacteria that make for healthy soil and strong plants. To do

thetheworm test: worm test:

Be sure the soil has warmed to at least 55 degrees, and Be sure the soil has warmed to at least 55 degrees, and that it is moist, but not soaking wet. that it is moist, but not soaking wet.

Dig a hole one foot across and one foot deep. Place the soil Dig a hole one foot across and one foot deep. Place the soil on a tarp Sift through the soil with your hands as you place on a tarp Sift through the soil with your hands as you place it back into the hole, counting the earthworms as you go.it back into the hole, counting the earthworms as you go.

If you find at least ten worms, your soil is in pretty good If you find at least ten worms, your soil is in pretty good shape. Less than that indicates that there may not be shape. Less than that indicates that there may not be enough organic matter in your soil to support a healthy enough organic matter in your soil to support a healthy worm population, or that your soil is too acidic or alkaline. worm population, or that your soil is too acidic or alkaline.

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Simple Soil Test #5Simple Soil Test #5

Soil Wash TestSoil Wash Test

The soil wash is an easy test you can perform that willThe soil wash is an easy test you can perform that will

tell you the approximate proportion of sand, clay, and tell you the approximate proportion of sand, clay, and

silt in your soil. Of course, you can pay a lot of money silt in your soil. Of course, you can pay a lot of money

for a laboratory to perform a professional analysis, butfor a laboratory to perform a professional analysis, but

or most gardeners this rough-and-ready test will tell youor most gardeners this rough-and-ready test will tell you

everything you need to know.everything you need to know.

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Simple Soil Test #5 Simple Soil Test #5 cont.cont. Dig 2 to 3 cups of soil from 6 to 8 inches deep in your soil. Let it Dig 2 to 3 cups of soil from 6 to 8 inches deep in your soil. Let it

drydryon newspaper for 24 hours. Use a sieve or old metal colander to sift on newspaper for 24 hours. Use a sieve or old metal colander to sift rocks, roots and other debris out of the soil. Crush lumps of soil to siftrocks, roots and other debris out of the soil. Crush lumps of soil to siftthem through. Pour 2 cups of the sifted soil into a quart Mason jar orthem through. Pour 2 cups of the sifted soil into a quart Mason jar orclean mayonnaise jar and add 1 tablespoon of powdered detergent.clean mayonnaise jar and add 1 tablespoon of powdered detergent.Then fill the jar with water, seal and shake vigorously for 3 minutes.Then fill the jar with water, seal and shake vigorously for 3 minutes.

After 1 hour, the biggest sand particles will settle out into a bottom After 1 hour, the biggest sand particles will settle out into a bottom layer. After 2 hours, the slightly smaller silt particles will settle out layer. After 2 hours, the slightly smaller silt particles will settle out into a second layer. And after 24 hours, the smallest clay particles into a second layer. And after 24 hours, the smallest clay particles will settle out into a third layer.will settle out into a third layer.

Measure the thickness of each layer and the total depth. To figure Measure the thickness of each layer and the total depth. To figure the percentage of each layer, divide that layer's thickness by the the percentage of each layer, divide that layer's thickness by the total depth. (Example: If all three layers total 3 inches and 2 inches total depth. (Example: If all three layers total 3 inches and 2 inches of that is the clay layer, then about 66 percent of your soil is clay.)of that is the clay layer, then about 66 percent of your soil is clay.)

Ideally, all three layers will be about the same. When any of the Ideally, all three layers will be about the same. When any of the three exceed 60 percent, that type is becoming undesirably three exceed 60 percent, that type is becoming undesirably dominant, and amending is advised. dominant, and amending is advised.

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Simple Soil Test #5 Simple Soil Test #5 cont.cont.

Use results Use results with chart.with chart.

Sand 57%Sand 57%

Silt 29%Silt 29%

Clay 14%Clay 14%

Analyzing the texture of soil is as important as studying the needs of the plants in your garden, and understanding the science behind soil texture makes that job much easier.

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QuestionsQuestions

We hope presentation will help you We hope presentation will help you to better care for your soil through to better care for your soil through understanding its composition. understanding its composition.