Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Now Is Time To Sample Soil In Lawns And Gardens

Late winter is an excellent time to soil sample lawns and gardens. Sampling during the slack season avoids the spring rush at the lab. It also allows plenty of time for making plans.

If lime is needed it should be applied as soon as possible. This is particularly true where lime is to be surface applied and cannot be incorporated into the soil. If lime can be incorporated it should begin to react immediately. However, it may take several months for the lime to raise the soil pH to the desired level. Low pH is one of the major problems in lawns.

Different lawn grasses vary in their tolerance of acid soils. Centipede grass and Zoysia grass have more acid tolerance than most other grasses. This is factored into the lime recommendations that come back in the soil test report.

Soil testing is a good way to monitor the nutrient balance in the soil. Most upland soils in their native conditions are usually acid and low in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

In some cases the soil may be low in calcium, magnesium or sulfur. Occasionally, low levels of copper or manganese may occur. However, after these same soils have been cultivated and soil amendments added, a nutrient imbalance can occur. In some cases a buildup of some elements, such as copper or excess salts, can have toxic consequences as far as plant growth is concerned.

A common occurrence in lawns and gardens is a buildup of phosphorus. In many cases this is coupled with a deficiency of potassium. This is commonly a result of the same type and amount of fertilizer being applied year after year.

In this situation the soil test recommendation would call for a fertilizer low in phosphorus, but high in potassium. If soil testing is done properly and the recommendations are followed the end result should be more efficient use of fertilizers, lime and other soil amendments.

A healthier and more productive lawn or garden should be the final result.

In collecting soil samples make sure that the sample represents the area to be managed. The lab needs a full pint of soil for every sample. The county Extension office has soil sample shipping boxes and will help you with the necessary paperwork. The staff will also help you interpret the results when the reports come back from the lab.

One of the best things about the University of Arkansas soil testing program is that there is no out-of-pocket cost for routine soil samples. Soil sample now and get ahead of the rush.

TIMBER LOSSES HEAVY

IN CLARK COUNTY

Information released by the Arkansas Forestry Commission indicates that 67,445 acres of timber were destroyed by the December ice storms on non-industrial privately-owned forest land.

The value of the timber destroyed is nearly $33 million, and the cost of replacing this timber is almost $17 million. The total economic impact to Arkansas farmers and forest landowners is nearly $50 million. This estimate does not include the timber lost on forest industry and national forest lands. Although it was not destroyed, another 135,000 acres of privately owned timber will need some form of timber stand improvement to get it back into full production.

The impact here in Clark County was the destruction of 2,050 acres of timber owned by 26 farmers and forest landowners. The economic impact of this loss includes $994,250 of value lost, plus $512,500 of replacement cost, for a total of $1,506,750. Many more acres of Clark County timberland were damaged, but not completely destroyed.

Landowners should be careful when attempting to sell damaged timber. Get a minimum of three bids and ask the loggers and timber buyers for references. Make sure that Arkansas Best Management Practices (BMPs) are followed during the harvesting operation. Loggers who have completed the ArkPro Logger Education course know how to follow BMPs.

If you need help in deciding on a course of management talk to a registered forester or contact the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

For information about timber prices or lawn and garden call the Clark County Extension office at 246-2281, or visit me at 501 Clay in Arkadelphia.