Autumn Soil Preparations

By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader
We might first think of autumn as an end, but it also is a wonderful beginning.  Harvest has been a time both for wrapping up the growing season and preparation for winter, as canning cupboards steadily find empty jars being filled.
In farm management, October is considered the beginning of a crop year.  Steps taken in the fall prepare soil for the growing season ahead.  This is probably the best time for soil sampling.

​Soil sampling is recommended every few years to keep tabs on what’s happening in the soil.  The cost of a soil sample is around $10, and many farmers say they can’t afford to not do it.  Most commonly, growers are tracking macro nutrient amounts, pH levels, and more commonly in recent years, organic matter.  Sampling in the fall is a great first step for the new crop year.
Taking an autumn snapshot of soil conditions provides some planning margin leading into spring.  Fall is also probably the best time to make pH adjustments.  Soil pH is critical for efficient use of soil nutrients by plants.  When lime can be applied in the fall it will have more reaction time leading up to the spring growing season.  A fall soil sample will help you get pH adjustments in the works at the right time. 
Taking a sample is not difficult, but some perspective will help you get the best data.  When soil arrives at the laboratory for testing, approximately one teaspoon is used for actual analysis.  So, when sampling a 10-acre field or even a small garden, remember that you will be making financial decisions based on analysis of one teaspoon of soil.  A representative sample is important.
Start with the right tool.  A soil probe or auger works best.  The conservation district can even loan you one.  A shovel can work, but only if you are sampling one or two areas.  A shovel is likely to get a wide slice at the top with a narrow one at the bottom.  You want to get a uniform width over the entire depth and a probe is the best way to get it.  Sampling depth should be approximately 6 inches in most situations.
Don’t take all your soil from one place.  You want to take time to get soil from about 15 different places throughout the field.  Avoid odd areas that are different from most of the field.  Place the sub-samples in a bucket as you go, mix them well, then take your final sample from the bucket.  If the sample is well mixed, a half-cup sent to the lab will do.  You don’t have to dry the soil before sending it.  Find out from your laboratory what containers are to be used to submit samples.  The bags available at the conservation district or Penn State extension are for the laboratory at Penn State University. 
Analysis will come back in about a week.  You might not be surprised that most Bradford County soils will have low pH.  Lime applications will be recommended, often several tons per acre.  Now, take a breath before you blow a gasket thinking about paying for that.  Start with 1,000 pounds per acre and do it again next year.  If you are doing a garden, this would equate to something like 50 pounds of lime on a 50’ x 50’ garden.  Don’t think “perfection”.  Think “progress”.
With these analysis results, you will be able to determine nutrient recommendations for any crop you want to grow.  You can look them up at www.agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/fertility/handbooks or ask the conservation district for help.  Come spring, you will thank yourself for starting your crop year six months ago. 
The Bradford County Conservation District is committed to helping people manage resources wisely.  You can visit the Bradford County Conservation District at 200 Lake Rd in Wysox across from the Wysox Fire Hall. Contact us at (570) 485-3144 or visit our web page at www.bccdpa.com.Soil sampling is recommended every few years to keep tabs on what’s happening in the soil.  The cost of a soil sample is around $10, and many farmers say they can’t afford to not do it.  Most commonly, growers are tracking macro nutrient amounts, pH levels, and more commonly in recent years, organic matter.  Sampling in the fall is a great first step for the new crop year.
Taking an autumn snapshot of soil conditions provides some planning margin leading into spring.  Fall is also probably the best time to make pH adjustments.  Soil pH is critical for efficient use of soil nutrients by plants.  When lime can be applied in the fall it will have more reaction time leading up to the spring growing season.  A fall soil sample will help you get pH adjustments in the works at the right time. 
Taking a sample is not difficult, but some perspective will help you get the best data.  When soil arrives at the laboratory for testing, approximately one teaspoon is used for actual analysis.  So, when sampling a 10-acre field or even a small garden, remember that you will be making financial decisions based on analysis of one teaspoon of soil.  A representative sample is important.
Start with the right tool.  A soil probe or auger works best.  The conservation district can even loan you one.  A shovel can work, but only if you are sampling one or two areas.  A shovel is likely to get a wide slice at the top with a narrow one at the bottom.  You want to get a uniform width over the entire depth and a probe is the best way to get it.  Sampling depth should be approximately 6 inches in most situations.
Don’t take all your soil from one place.  You want to take time to get soil from about 15 different places throughout the field.  Avoid odd areas that are different from most of the field.  Place the sub-samples in a bucket as you go, mix them well, then take your final sample from the bucket.  If the sample is well mixed, a half-cup sent to the lab will do.  You don’t have to dry the soil before sending it.  Find out from your laboratory what containers are to be used to submit samples.  The bags available at the conservation district or Penn State extension are for the laboratory at Penn State University. 
Analysis will come back in about a week.  You might not be surprised that most Bradford County soils will have low pH.  Lime applications will be recommended, often several tons per acre.  Now, take a breath before you blow a gasket thinking about paying for that.  Start with 1,000 pounds per acre and do it again next year.  If you are doing a garden, this would equate to something like 50 pounds of lime on a 50’ x 50’ garden.  Don’t think “perfection”.  Think “progress”.
With these analysis results, you will be able to determine nutrient recommendations for any crop you want to grow.  You can look them up at www.agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/fertility/handbooks or ask the conservation district for help.  Come spring, you will thank yourself for starting your crop year six months ago. 
The Bradford County Conservation District is committed to helping people manage resources wisely.  You can visit the Bradford County Conservation District at 200 Lake Rd in Wysox across from the Wysox Fire Hall. Contact us at (570) 485-3144 or visit our web page at www.bccdpa.com.