Do you want the ultimate vegetable garden?

 

 

By Keith Mickler

 

So, you say "yes, I want a killer vegetable garden" well then, here are a few tips from your University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent located in Floyd County.

 

Start with the basics, what's in my dirt. To determine how good your dirt is you must soil test. Why a soil test, because it saves you money; it's that simple. Walter Reeves states, "I learned from Mrs. Vida Benton in high school that if a chemical solution is too acid or alkaline, the reaction you expect won't occur. What is happening with fertilizer at your plants' root tips? A chemical reaction, sure enough, and if the soil is too acid or too alkaline your hungry plants won't be able to feed themselves."

One of the most import details a soil test provides is the soil pH. You may now be asking what in the world is a pH? Well, it is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, expressed as a number between 1 and 14. At the mid-point, 7 mean neutrality. A pH number below 7 indicates acidity while a number above 7 means the solution is alkaline.

Most vegetable plants grow best in a soil that is slightly acidic: 6.0 or a little higher.

Walter states that "If your soil pH is 5.5, half of the fertilizer you apply can't be absorbed by your plants. And just for emphasis, let's repeat it: If your soil is too acid, fifty percent of the fertilizer you purchase does nothing for your plants. The necessary chemical reaction just won't happen. Now that I have your attention, let's learn how to perform a soil test."

How do I take a soil sample, it's pretty simple. The only tools you need are a clean bucket and a trowel. Take 10 to 15 soil samples from across and around the vegetable garden down to about six inches deep by wandering aimlessly about. Put the sample into the clean bucket. It's that simple.

 

With all your soil in the bucket, mix thoroughly together like you would a cake; remove any stuff other than soil. Scoop out a pint of soil, pour it into a plastic bag and label where it came from.

Once the sample(s) have been collected you need to have them tested. The best way to do that is to drop your soil sample(s) off at the nearest University of Georgia Extension office. For Floyd County that is 12 E. 4^th Ave., Suite 107. The Extension Office will then mail your sample to the state soils lab who will then test your soil. Your county agent will send you an easy to read report detailing the current levels of nutrients in the soil, its pH and precise recommendations for the fertilizers you should apply and if any lime is needed. The cost for all of this is $8.00. This $8.00 spent on a soil sample can save you hundreds of dollars by keeping you from over applying or under applying the nutrients your veggies will need in order to grow up.

It's that simple. Another Walter quote, " A test guaranteed to save you money, calm your nerves and maintain your dignity ... and you can finish it in less than an hour!"

 

The University of Georgia/Floyd County Cooperative Extension. Located at 12 East 4^th Ave, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 295-6210. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and close for lunch from 12 to 1pm

 

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension - Learning for Life. Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth.  An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. To obtain extension publications please visit our web site www.ugaextension.com or contact your county Cooperative Extension office.

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