soil testing

The 2017 OSU Extension soil testing fact sheet for horticulture professionals and backyard gardeners has been updated and posted on Ohioline.

We are nearing the end of winter. You may be thinking of adding a tree or shrub to your landscape. Besides researching what plant you should consider, you may want to consider site selection. Especially if you are replacing a plant that died. The “Why” behind why plants die can be related to site selection. An NOW is the time to go out in your yard and dig a hole. Soil Percolation Rates and Percolation Tests can help guide you planting decisions.

This week's TTT includes updates from Dr, Tyler Carr, Dr. David Shetlar and Dr. Ed Nangle as they discuss field day updates, grub development cycles, chinch bugs, soil tests and upcoming TTT - they will be live on August 18!

Check out this new Ohio State University FactSheet, Efficient Lawn Care Practices to Help Protect Ohio’s Waterways. The FactSheet authors include: Ashley Kulhanek, Educator, Ohio State University Extension; Eugene Braig, Program Director, Aquatic Ecosystems, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University; and Zane Raudenbush, Turfgrass and Herbicide Specialist, Davey Tree.

What is causing the odd leaf chlorosis on this red maple?  Regardless of what you think is causing the symptom, it's only a guess unless you soil test.  Soil tests provide you with information that serves the same purposes as the information that blood tests provide to physicians:  soil tests are like a blood test for the soil.

A tree's leaves may be ever so good,

So may its bark, so may its wood;

 

  I picture right now my colleague Joe Boggs trying to relax on this Sunday afternoon as I add this bygl-alert, casually opening the post, and as he reads through it, realizes that I am baiting him to elaborate upon this short teaser. He is the lead author and chief champion of the newly updated “Soil Testing for Ohio Lawns, Landscapes, Fruit Crops, and Vegetable Gardens” Fact Sheet that is now available online from OSU Extension at:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/...