The time has come for farmers, gardeners and general “green thumbers” to get their soils tested to ensure adequate soil nutrient levels. This simple yet critical task is the first step of the new growing season.
With fertilizer prices remaining high, random nutrient supplementation can break the bank and possibly decrease production in gardens, pastures and crop fields.
As stewards of the land, preventing erosion and maximizing production through responsible management is the definition of conservation. Overgrazing and poor crop management practices lead to a loss in profits, damage soils and pollute everyone’s drinking water.
For production agriculture, soil testing should be the first step each year; yet many go forth with an attitude that it is not their fault their crops do not grow, or their animals eat too much.
Contact the Greenbrier Valley Conservation District for assistance with soil testing. They can give advice or take samples at a nominal cost. They have soil probes for sale and can help develop a soil testing habit. In addition, the Greenbrier Valley Conservation District allocates cost-share funding each year to offset the cost of liming to increase PH levels.
The Greenbrier Valley Conservation District strives to promote soil health and maximize production for all interested constituents in Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Monroe counties. Message them on Facebook or call 304-645-6173 for more information.
