The Soil Resource

Presentation for Harvest Hastings April 10/2014

What do we have?

Bedrock Geology

Glaciation and Subsequent Landforms

Land Use History

What is Soil?

Soil texture

• Texture– % sand, silt, clay

• Field testing– Dry feel test– Ribbon test

Soil texture- in class exercise

• 3 samples

Texture and Soil Moisture

• Soil Moisture– Texture– Depth to water table

• Seasonal• Permanent

• Drainage– Texture– Water Table– Impervious layers

Soil Fertility

• Soil nutrients– Additions

• Fertilizers• Manure• Crops

– Deletions• Leaching• Denitrification• Erosion• Crops/Livestock

Building Soil Fertility

• Nutrient Retention– Cover crops– Crop rotations– Soil organic matter– Soil texture– Nutrient additions

• Organic• Inorganic• Soil pH

Soil Testing

• Soil sampling• What to test for• When

Soil Improvement

• Drainage– Tile drainage

• Why• Cost/benefit

Soil Structure

• What is it?

Improving soil structure

• Organic matter– Cover crops– Manure– fertilizers

• Field timing– Tillage– compaction

• Earthworms and other animals

Compaction

• Soil texture• Soil moisture• Equipment• Correction and

Improvement– Mechanical– Biological

Weed Management

• Weed Resistance• Crop Rotations• Herbicides• Cover crops• Other???

Next: Field visit

Any questions before we head outside?