The Soil Resource Presentation for Harvest Hastings April 10/2014
What do we have? Bedrock Geology Glaciation and Subsequent Landforms Land Use History
What is Soil?
Soil texture Texture – % sand, silt, clay Field testing – Dry feel test – Ribbon test
Soil texture- in class exercise 3 samples
Texture and Soil Moisture Soil Moisture – Texture – Depth to water table Seasonal Permanent Drainage – Texture – Water Table – Impervious layers
Soil Fertility Soil nutrients – Additions Fertilizers Manure Crops – Deletions Leaching Denitrification Erosion Crops/Livestock
Building Soil Fertility Nutrient Retention – Cover crops – Crop rotations – Soil organic matter – Soil texture – Nutrient additions Organic Inorganic Soil pH
Soil Testing Soil sampling What to test for When
Soil Improvement Drainage – Tile drainage Why Cost/benefit
Soil Structure What is it?
Improving soil structure Organic matter – Cover crops – Manure – fertilizers Field timing – Tillage – compaction Earthworms and other animals
Compaction Soil texture Soil moisture Equipment Correction and Improvement – Mechanical – Biological
Weed Management Weed Resistance Crop Rotations Herbicides Cover crops Other???
Next: Field visit Any questions before we head outside?