Soil Basics
Soil sample to make sure you have the nutrients your crops need.
Learn how soil texture, structure, biology and nutrient availability affect plant growth. You will leave this class with a plan to manage your soils next year.
Topics:Session I: The Soil System. We have to understand how soils work to manage our soils. Organic matter acts like a sponge holding water and nutrients for plants. PH regulates the availability of nutrients in soil. Millions of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa make nutrients available to plants, and keep plant diseases in check. In this first session we will use hands on activities to see how soil physical, biological and chemical properties work.
Session II: Managing Soil to Meet Plant Needs. Start with a soil test! Plants need water, nutrients, and oxygen. Specialists with over 32 years of combined experience will discuss how to use, lime, inorganic fertilizer, and organic nutrients such as manure, compost and cover crops to provide crops nutrients and improve soil structure.
Session III: Applying Soil Management Concepts. It’s time to apply what you have learned. Using soil test results from your farm you will calculate how much fertilizer, compost, manure or cover crop you need to grow/apply on your farm next year.
To be added to the list to learn about upcoming soils courses contact Tianna DuPont tdupont@psu.edu.
Upcoming Events
There are currently no events scheduled for this course.
