With the New Year, very soon warmer temperatures will arrive and with them the new growing season will start.
Now is the time, preparation should be given to growing plants, no matter if you are a rancher, farmer, gardener or a homeowner wanting a nice lawn. The first step of plant growth is to determine plant nutrient needs. This is done through a soil sample.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the nutrients that are measured from a soil sample.
Nitrogen is the nutrient responsible for growth, yield, protein content and even color.
Nitrogen applications are determined by yield goal. Whether growing vegetables, a lawn or growing hay and forage for livestock, nitrogen needs have been determined through past research according to how much growth or yield you want to occur.
An example of this is that 50 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre is needed to yield one ton of Bermuda grass in a pasture.
A reasonable yield goal with moisture is three tons per acre.
It would take 150 pounds of available nitrogen for this yield. All crops normally grown here in Oklahoma have an established nitrogen need depending on yield desired.
Phosphorus and Potassium needs can only be determined by a soil test.
No one can look at soil and give a recommendation for these nutrients.
To complicate this matter, phosphorus and potassium are first limiting to plant growth.
In other words, if these nutrients are not present in sufficient amounts, growth will not occur at the plants maximum capacity. No matter how much nitrogen you apply, it will not be utilized efficiently for plant growth. This is the case for lawns, flowers, vegetable production or forage production.
Another reading you will get from a soil sample is pH. This reading tells us the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
All plants have a range where they live and grow best.
A pH of 6.9 or less is acid. Soils with a pH of 7.0 are neutral, higher than 7.0 are alkaline. Under normal conditions, most plants grow well when soil pH is in the range of 6.0 to 7.5. Most generally, I see eastern Oklahoma soils tend to be on the acidic side, while in western Oklahoma, many soils are in the neutral area or have a tendency towards alkaline. Testing is the only way to find out for sure.
Lime, which is used to raise pH or make soils less acidic, is usually applied when pH gets to 5.5. Sulfur on the other hand pushes pH downward.
Again, too low or high a pH will limit a plant’s ability to grow. A soil test is again the best method to determine this reading.
A soil test can be run by the OSU Extension Service. Taking a sample that is a good representative of the area is crucial for good results.
Twelve to 15 cores from the area to be sampled are best. These cores can be put in a bucket and mixed thoroughly.
The cores should measure to a depth of 6 to 8 feet. A full pint jar full of this mixture will be needed for testing.
After the first test is taken this gives a benchmark to work from, then the area should be tested at least every three years thereafter. In the case of a heavy yielding garden or heavily fertilized lawn, it should be more often.
For those that use organic materials, such as manures, a soil test is also important. Often, I see gardeners apply these materials on a yearly basis to gardens and flower beds.
Over time, a buildup of nutrients can occur. Probably the highest soil test numbers I have ever seen was where livestock manures had been used again and again. While these organics are an excellent source of nutrients, when applied over time they too should be monitored periodically. Not only is it environmentally important, but I have actually seen nutrient numbers so high that little or no plant growth was the result.
Many dollars and much time is spent yearly on fertilizers and their applications. Making sure you are wisely making use of these nutrients is not only environmentally sound but smart business, no matter what you are growing.
Many nutrients may be applied well before the growing season starts for best results. It takes a couple of weeks to get the soil sample results back. Be ready for the new growing season by soil sampling now.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our Web site: http://countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie.
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With the New Year, very soon warmer temperatures will arrive and with them the new growing season will start.
Now is the time, preparation should be given to growing plants, no matter if you are a rancher, farmer, gardener or a homeowner wanting a nice lawn. The first step of plant growth is to determine plant nutrient needs. This is done through a soil sample.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the nutrients that are measured from a soil sample.
Nitrogen is the nutrient responsible for growth, yield, protein content and even color.
Nitrogen applications are determined by yield goal. Whether growing vegetables, a lawn or growing hay and forage for livestock, nitrogen needs have been determined through past research according to how much growth or yield you want to occur.
An example of this is that 50 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre is needed to yield one ton of Bermuda grass in a pasture.
A reasonable yield goal with moisture is three tons per acre.
It would take 150 pounds of available nitrogen for this yield. All crops normally grown here in Oklahoma have an established nitrogen need depending on yield desired.
Phosphorus and Potassium needs can only be determined by a soil test.
No one can look at soil and give a recommendation for these nutrients.
To complicate this matter, phosphorus and potassium are first limiting to plant growth.
In other words, if these nutrients are not present in sufficient amounts, growth will not occur at the plants maximum capacity. No matter how much nitrogen you apply, it will not be utilized efficiently for plant growth. This is the case for lawns, flowers, vegetable production or forage production.
Another reading you will get from a soil sample is pH. This reading tells us the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
All plants have a range where they live and grow best.
A pH of 6.9 or less is acid. Soils with a pH of 7.0 are neutral, higher than 7.0 are alkaline. Under normal conditions, most plants grow well when soil pH is in the range of 6.0 to 7.5. Most generally, I see eastern Oklahoma soils tend to be on the acidic side, while in western Oklahoma, many soils are in the neutral area or have a tendency towards alkaline. Testing is the only way to find out for sure.
Lime, which is used to raise pH or make soils less acidic, is usually applied when pH gets to 5.5. Sulfur on the other hand pushes pH downward.
Again, too low or high a pH will limit a plant’s ability to grow. A soil test is again the best method to determine this reading.
A soil test can be run by the OSU Extension Service. Taking a sample that is a good representative of the area is crucial for good results.
Twelve to 15 cores from the area to be sampled are best. These cores can be put in a bucket and mixed thoroughly.
The cores should measure to a depth of 6 to 8 feet. A full pint jar full of this mixture will be needed for testing.
After the first test is taken this gives a benchmark to work from, then the area should be tested at least every three years thereafter. In the case of a heavy yielding garden or heavily fertilized lawn, it should be more often.
For those that use organic materials, such as manures, a soil test is also important. Often, I see gardeners apply these materials on a yearly basis to gardens and flower beds.
Over time, a buildup of nutrients can occur. Probably the highest soil test numbers I have ever seen was where livestock manures had been used again and again. While these organics are an excellent source of nutrients, when applied over time they too should be monitored periodically. Not only is it environmentally important, but I have actually seen nutrient numbers so high that little or no plant growth was the result.
Many dollars and much time is spent yearly on fertilizers and their applications. Making sure you are wisely making use of these nutrients is not only environmentally sound but smart business, no matter what you are growing.
Many nutrients may be applied well before the growing season starts for best results. It takes a couple of weeks to get the soil sample results back. Be ready for the new growing season by soil sampling now.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our Web site: http://countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie.
