Should I soil test? Yes!

Every spring the Extension office fills with gardeners bringing in samples of their problematic garden soil asking to have it tested. While we don't have a lab here in Salt Lake, we can easily assist them with sending the sample to the Utah State University Analytical Lab in Logan. Soil test are important in helping gardeners understand their soil and the impacts soil has on plant growth and health. This can be of even more value to organic growers because starting with a healthy soil can help you avoid a lot of other issues that can arise later in the season (often requiring chemical fixes).

Sampling soil can be as easy as 1, 2 3:

STEP 1. Download the form:

• http://www.usual.usu.edu/forms/soilform.pdf

STEP 2. Follow the instructions on how to collect your sample (on pg 2) and place 2 cups of soil in a ziplock bag. Next, place sample in a Priority Mail Flat Rate box addressed to USU Analytical Labs.

USU Analytical Labs

Soil Testing Lab

9400 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322

STEP 3. Fill out the form with your information, include a check or cashier check in the amount stated on the form and place it in the mail!

If you need assistance in interpreting your soil test results please see the fact sheet below or drop by and talk to your County Extension Agent.

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/AG_Soils_2008-01pr.pdf

Tip of the Week: Things to Consider When Using Organic Fertilizers.

Most fertilizers are labeled with a sequence of numbers detailing the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O) they contain. For example, a complete inorganic fertilizer containing all three may be labeled 16-16-8, meaning it contains 16% nitrogen, 16% phosphate and 8% potash. 

Not all fertilizers are considered equal, especially when comparing inorganic and organic options. Some major things to remember when picking out an organic fertilizer are:

• Organic fertilizers are not typically synthesized and available for immediate uptake by plants.

• Organic fertilizers are usually dependent on microorganisms to break them down, so soil health and preparation are important.

• Manure alone will not provide plants all the nutrients they need. Sometimes it takes an entire season before the nutrients in manure are available for plant uptake. Plus manures are often high in salts!

• Most organic fertilizers have much lower analysis than the inorganic options so direct substitution is challenging. The amount of fertilizer you apply and how often you apply it will need to be correctly calculated!

For more information on:

How to pick out an ORGANIC fertilizer 

How to correctly calculate the application rate 

Average nutrient concentrations in organic materials 

Please visit this USU Extension FACTSHEET

For information on organic product availability and certification visit WWW.OMRI.ORG

Happy Gardening!

Pollinator Week

Limiting use of insecticides is a really important part of protecting our pollinators!

Happy #PollinatorWeek everyone.

A Guide for Growing Organic in Utah!

This new guide from Utah State University Extension is a compilation of information from specialist and faculty. It covers everything from soil preparation, fertilizer recommendations to weed and pest control! If you are gardening organically in Utah, you need this guide!

"A Guide to Common ORGANIC Gardening Questions" is now available for purchase online and in most county Extension offices.