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Show Sun Advocate Fbobl Utah Hatsday March 14, 2002 5B residential gardeners alike Regular testing helps develop and maintain more productive doils for Canning, gardening, and landscaping, according to Marlon Winger, Carbon County ySU ext agent Soil tests indicate whether plant nutrients are deficient and, if so, what amounts are needed for optimum growth. Soil testing is also a useful diagnostic tool to identify problems related to excessive levels of nutrients and saltSi high pH, low organic matter, and poor drainage. When properly interpreted, ami tests increase profits in agricultural production systems and promote more favorable conditions for productive and estheti-call- y pleasing gardens and land-pnpff The best windows of opportunity for soil sampling are early Spring and late fall. Held, garden, and landscape activities are limited during these periods, and samples can be collected and analyzed in time for fall or spring fertilization. Fall testing has the advantage of allowing the application and incorporation of fertilizers with fall ullage or ing, however, often provides a better indication of nutrient (especially nitrogen) availability immediately prior to plant growth. Regardless of when samples are collected, allow a ftiinimum of two to three weeks for analysis, fertilizer purchase and application, and any other corrective measures to be taken before planting. . Soil sampling can also be done during the growing season to aid in diagnosing plant growth Landowners who observe a problem may want to sample the soil while symptoms are . present to diagnose the problem ' and take corrective actum g the current growing season. Plant tissue sampling and analysis can also be used to diagnose problems. Specific plant parts and collection and handling pro--; cedures are required for accurate . 'tissue testing. Contact your County Extension Agent for more information on plant tissue prob-lem- s. tine test is $10.00 per sample. A Probes are available on loan from your local County Extension Agent, or maybe purchased from various equipment retailers such as Ben Meadows or Forestry Suppliers at a cost of $50 to $90. A shovel can also be used to collect soil samples although this is more time consuming and causes disturbance in areas with established vegetation. In addition, if a shovel is used special care must be taken to ensure that the sample is collected to the depth recommended above. If you are sampling for a valuable (nitrate) Nitrogen, a second sample representing the 12 to 24 inch depth is also necessary! Additional information on how to collect soil sample can be obtained from your County Extension Agent or the Utah State cage is also which includes all of the tests in the routine package as well as available (nitrate) ni- trogen, micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc), sulfate-sulfu-r, and organic matter. The cost of the complete test is $40.00 per sample. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient required for plant growth. In the absence of a nitrogen soil test, nitrogen fertilizer recommendations are based on the plant to be grown, yield, and site history. Due to concerns over nitrate contamination of surface and ground water, and higher nitrogen fertilizer costs, soil test- ing for nitrates is becoming increasingly important. Soil, samples collected for testing must be immediately air dried or kept cod until delivered to the lab. The comn bined cost for two samples (separate 0 to 12 inch and 12 to 24 inch depths) is nitrate-nitrog- University Analytical Laboratory County (phone: 7). Extension Agents and the Utah Laboratory have sample kits available which include additional instructions on how to collect soil samples, a site informa-tio- n form used by the lab to interpret soil test reailts, and a box for mailing samples. Utah State University Extension recommends a routine test package for general sampling situations. The routine package measures soil pH (acidity or alkalinity), salinity (salt level), lime, texture class, and phosphorus and potas- I-- - ns T -- Wood projects involve almost the whole family Much of the woodwotking featured in Generations Landsqpirg pejects is Ac Ksuft af a joint effort by the family. While not involving all of their children yet the okiercfcildneqjtygel&f in building the custom wood projects that eventually end up in the yards of their dients. 'Tks m BKdknt way to teach aB of our children responsibility and family values, cites Debbie, nxrthwof faBswWanatHfrBiNyta along side our kids towards a common goal is an excellent vehicle to mentor our chUdnaadlcacIi them life stubs at the same time. ft ir Homs, Business lawSPafloDsmraHwBlocklikkhvsB lataWag Wall SystM (so baton raqairvd Sand, CaiMflt, Mortar Mixf S SappSti Lava lock (Grand Cow S Aaonorios Grooad Covsi large i & Industry Factories DdncryAraOdblr umpcmivv umi 651 No. CoHxxnSIe Ed. as CASTLE DALE 12xl2, mrf 3 Sizes - 12xlL 1424, tadwosafrook 4 Colon JbailaUa, las Lots ASSOCIATION i' ; i . General Contracting r and grower management prac- - Wq do tices vary widely, knowing vriiat soil test values correspond with optimum plant performance on r a site allows the grower to cus- tomize a soil management for individual production systems. , Divide the area to be sampled S into different units depending on variations in soil condi tions, his-- r tbric fertilizer and soil amend- - - Block - Rock - Concrete Pumping Foundations - gement differences. For farms, Additions Fireplaces this means that different fields are normally sampled separately, r For lantfacapes, this means that , ? garden areas, turL and planting (beds should be sampled sepa-- ( rately. Problem areas within ai jj field or landscape should also be r sampled separately for diagnos-- S it oil Brick pro-rra- m Mail V- S' k-"- ' Bates Retaining Walls Pillars ' - Planters Footings Homes Fireplaces Chimneys Fences . . Garages v. tic purposes. U A minimum of five to ten Usamplesshouldbecollectediroin I throughout each area sampled land then combined together into ; one composite sample to submit for analysis. This ensures that the ! . 40 Ton .i.1 !) f ' S' . - "s. .. 4 pri ... mmmm . Samples should (be collected to a depth of.12 indiesfKroutineanatysesofag- Jricultural fields, gardens, ami vjeeduub areas, mid to a depth y qf 6 inches for tint Te imoat Licensed & Insured is' - V Sfimi-TrartrirXFIath- fonqde submitted ia represents Cedant WtdcoHt.saJlQJles 24x24 ss levels of nutriente or salts. . Growers should keep soil test records for all areas sampled, as H well as fertilizer Application and Z plant yield and quality informa- tion. This allows growers to reflate yield and plant performance to soil test results and fertiliza- tion practices. Information in diis form is site edfic. Since soils I five ofthe area. 637-20-12 SPEEDY STEEL GABAGES JVIARCH AAADNESS nt 09 Slaw John !!ov;a & Sons Warehouses Service Contracts Available Generations of Pest Control 381-26- S0 P4-5-1- ALL WORK GUARANTEED -- . to roofing - yaull find H here Ants Spiders .Mice Termites Roaches & Inside Outside Spraying Lawns TVees Shrubs Licensed for Ail Types of Pesl Control Schools Hospitals Markets Restaurants Homes Motels Offices Sis S . (tonring with Castle Gxmtry for ever 50 ytm Professional Pest Control Service uch as com, small grains, and 'gardens, soil should be tested once every two years. Generally, i noted s jjjirget Pest Control ' of .. ,'Zim From rebar 'planting is made. For annuals I'nd prevent the . : BagBaik-Sshssivalla- m build-u- p , . v r i v Building & londscope Supplies For perennial plants such as turf, trees, alfalfa, and pasture, soil should be. tested prior to planting and once every two to three yeare. Soil testing prior to c establishing perennials is particularly important since it pro-- f iyides an opportunity to incoipo-'iat- e immobile nutrients into the root zone before planting, and to 'diagnose and correct soil prob-Ijcbefore the investment in fre-que- - n JP . ' :i i I . the intensity of management increases so should the frequency of soil testing. Highly ; productive growers making fertilizer, manure, orother - soil amendment applications : should test mote frequently to J : - en dur-'in- -- ; -- . It Regular users of soil tests may decide to have only certain or individual elements tested for in sdl. For example, if previous tests show no potassium deficiency or pH or salt problems, only phosphorus may need to be tested for on a regular basis. If a soil test indicates no problems or deficiencies it is still important to periodically test soil since conditions change over time as ' fertilizers, sdl amendments, and irrigation waters are applied. The Utah State University Analytical Laboratory can also test for other individual elements if sium. Interpretations and are made based on the test results and background site information you provide with the sample. The cost of the rou recom-mendatio- s' r. C-yrr- Kiv $10.00. le . a. ii ... . . nitrate-nitroge- State University Analytical plant-availab- ' i! m :Mt "p'' ,r si s Swith a hollow tube soil probes V: ... . - . . t W . 4 - v. (). |