The "Down and Dirty" about soil

Spring is here in the Northeast. A time to enjoy the beauty of nature, plan that veggie garden or flower bed, new shrubs or simply improve the quality of your lawn. Most New Jersey gardeners and homeowners are just itching to get out there and turn up a little soil.

Gardening is a great hobby with wonderful rewards. To insure a successful return on their investment, commercial lawn, plant and flower fertilizers are a ritual part of spring and summer gardening efforts. But STOP for a moment before you add that fertilizer to your shopping basket!

ARE YOU SURE your soil needs the nutrients you're adding

OR are you applying amendments to the soil that are unnecessary?

The very first step in assuring a successful and rewarding garden, lawn or newly established tree or shrub is NOT adding fertilizer-it's sending a sample of the soil out for analysis. 

Soil sample testing is an easy and affordable process. AND NOW is the time to gather your samples and send them to the lab for analysis. Soil labs can provided you with step-by-step instruction on how to collect, bag and label your samples. 

But here's the basics on how it works:

1. You'll decide what type of plants you intend to grow in each site.
2. You'll contact your local Extension Agent or Soil Lab for special containers and labels for the samples you'll collect.
3. In early Spring and/or late Fall, you'll collect several samples from the same plot of soil, mixing them together to create a representation of the plot's nutrients.
4. You'll complete a simple form or two which identifies the sample and indicates what you plan to grow in that soil. This is an important step because different plants have different nutrient needs. 
5. Samples, forms and payment (generally under $20.00 per sample) will be mailed to the lab for analysis.
6. In a short time, you'll receive a written report indicating the nutrients already present in the soil sample-and recommendations for amendments that will be best suited for the plants you are installing.
7. NOW you have all the information you need to make a good choice of fertilizers or amendments for each garden plot or planting site!

Why is this an important first step in planning your landscaping or garden?

1. Knowing the composition of your soil guides you in making smart decisions which lead to fewer costly garden disappointments.
2. You may be surprised to learn that your soil nutrient load is already perfectly suited to the plants you wish to grow! (This is especially true for folks who annually enhance their garden with compost).
3. By applying the proper amendments, you're giving your plants all the right things for their growth, productivity and longevity.
4. YOU save money-and time- avoiding the "trial and error" method
5. The environment benefits. Excessive application of fertilizers-or the application of fertilizers not used by plants-becomes runoff. Run-off travels into our vital water systems.  Plants in the natural waterways absorb fertilizers which stimulates their unchecked growth. The delicate balance of aquatic life is disturbed. This alteration of the balance nature intended changes the ability to survive or find food for a variety of organisms, fish and water creatures. 

While YOUR garden or landscape may look amazing- the extended damage from the misapplication or excessive application of fertilizers impacts your "earth neighbors"- and no one wants to see that happen! On one level or another-we all care about "green"-even if that's means the "green" in our wallet! Soil testing before applying fertilizers is a smart way to "go green and SAVE green.

NJ residents can learn more about soil testing through Rutgers Soil Lab's website. Your local county extension agent should also be able to provide you with more info, soil sampling kits and expert advice on maintaining healthy lawns, pastures, gardens and landscapes. 

Spring is in the air-but has the mild weather created a pest paradise?

While lots of folks are celebrating the record mild winter and early arrival of Spring in NJ, many are speculating on the impact of the 4th warmest winter in recorded history. NJ Bee keepers are reporting losses in honey bee populations because of the mild winter. In normal winter weather, bees are dormant. This year however, hives remained active throughout the winter months and quickly devoured their food stores. Many hives were lost to starvation. Will new colonies be established in time to pollinate the early blooms? That remains to be seen.

And it's true that the mild temps and lack of frost have many farmers and gardeners taking advantage of an early start to crop production, but farmers are also concerned that Springs early arrival could herald a new challenge to their crop production-pest control.  There's much speculation as to how Mother Nature will deal with the early arrival and anticipated overpopulation of insects.
In the Northeast, the cold weather months and ground frost generally act as a control to insect populations. The 2012 season brought little to none of both-great for folks struggling with rising fuel costs, but a concern as food producers take the plow to the fields and families take to the great outdoors.

 ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
Mosquito and stink bug infestations have already been reported to state officials. Good news for pest control operations, not such good news for the larger population.  Insect populations are usually kept in check because of their susceptibility to winter's cold. Mosquito populations are reported high than average across the country as well.

Tics on the other hand aren't impacted by winter weather and due to the mild temps, are active earlier than usual. Tics and mosquitoes carry disease. New Jersey's tic population present higher than average as agents for Lyme disease which, left untreated, can have crippling effects on humans, livestock and pets.

PEST POPULATION CONTROL and precautions:
Officials are encouraging residents to start their exterior Spring clean up now. By simply emptying standing water from containers, play sets, tire swings etc. and doing this regularly, mosquito breeding habitats around the home will be well... uninhabitable! This easy task can be turned into a fun summertime activity for kids by enlisting them in regular mosquito patrol. There are great educational resources that help kids learn about the life cycle of mosquitoes and creative resources that make "mosquito patrol" a fun lesson in record keeping.

Learning to identify tic species and which are most likely to carry Lyme's disease may not be on your bucket list of things to do-but knowledge is power-and a huge psychological relief to the natural panic most people feel when they find a tic on their body or their child. Let's be honest here, nobody appreciates a blood sucking parasite feasting on their flesh. The mere thought sends a shiver down the spines of even seasoned naturalists and folks who connect with the outdoors every day. But being able to identify the potential for transmission of a disease that lingers long after the chills are gone will take away undo anxiety. So do your homework and teach your kids to check themselves thoroughly when they come in from play. (BTW-the same careful inspection applies to pets who are also susceptible to Lyme's). Vaccines are available through your local vet. These can protect your pet from coming down with Lyme and other diseases BUT keep in mind that some vaccines require a course of treatment to become effective and at the least, most require a period of time for the body to build immunity. PLAN AHEAD to offer the best protection for your pets.

 There are a variety of topical flea and tic preventatives available for pets. Over the counter preventatives have very specific weight and dosing recommendations. Read them carefully before applying. (It's human nature to think if a little is good-a lot will be great- but remember that these over the counter treatments are MEDICATIONS and can have damaging effects to your pets health if not administered properly) the best course for planning prevention is to coordinate with your vet and practice good record keeping.