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1 Rapp-Chats 1
S By Rap Owings, S
K Ext. Agent fj
Farmers have about wound up their fall crop operations, so before the winter feeding season starts why not get a couple of next spring’s jobs out of the way. You can beat the spring rush by testing your soil now. And based on the soil sample results you can apply all of the lime and in some cases, ail of the fertilizer needed for next year.
The advantages are several. First, you are in a better bargaining position to obtain a discount on lime and fertilizer during the off season.
Second, soil conditions are usually much better in the fall for getting on the land with spreading equipment. There is less soil compaction as a result and the compaction that does occur is broken up by freezing and thawing.
Third, there is more time for slowly dissolving ground limestone to react in acid or low p H soils.
Fourth, fall fertilization (especially phosphate and potash) on alfalfa, red clover, and bluegrass pasture gets the fertilizer down in time to kick these forages off to a good start next spring. Over winter leaching of materials is minimal on most of our heavier soils.
Fifth, and probably most important, all lime and fertilization programs should be based on results of soil tests. Early soil tests enable you to buy needed lime and fertilizer based on soil tests and not some estimate or educated guess. And service on samples at the soil testing laboratory is more rapid. Last year during the big rush there was a 4-6 week delay.
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