Farm & Home
By Wade Parker County Extension Coodinator

Extension Production

Meetings

Our last Extension production meeting was held last Friday. I would like to thank the farmers who assisted with our meals and attendance. A successful Extension program is only as strong as the volunteers and participants. I am looking forward to a successful year in Jenkins County agriculture!

Congressman John Barrow

Listening Session

Congressman Barrow will be at the Jenkins County Extension Office on Friday, February 22, at 3:45 p.m. Each year Congressman Barrow makes his way through the district to listen to constituents' concerns and ideas. If you have any concerns or would just like to visit with the Congressman, please feel free to stop by. This is an excellent time to let your voice be heard.

Soil Sampling

It is the time of year when we all need to think about pulling soil samples. This not only applies to farmers but to homeowners as well. Pulling a soil sample is one of the best management practices that one can do. I frequently get questions such as, "When do I need to lime my yard?" I usually respond by asking, "Do you know the pH of the soil?" If they answer no then in my opinion, they need to pull a soil sample and find out. With the cost of lime being high, pulling a soil sample and finding the pH of your soil is an excellent investment. Not only will you know what the pH is, but a routine test will give you the nutritional requirements of the plant or crop you are trying to grow. In other words, you will know which fertilizer analysis will be the most beneficial for the situation. Soil sample bags may be picked up and returned to the Extension Office for shipment. If you have less than five samples, the cost is $8/sample and $7/sample for five or more. The postage rate is different with higher volume. The following information will help you as you pull your sample.

Soil Sampling Procedures:

1. Soil samples may be taken anytime of the year. As you fill out the information requested on the bag, supply all the information asked for.

2. Use a spade, trowel, soil sampling tube, auger, or other tool which can take a thin vertical slice of soil to a depth of 8- 12 inches.

3. Take at least 12 or 15 cores, or thin slices, at random over the area to be sampled. In general, one composite sample consisting of 12-15 cores should be per yard or every six acres. Place sample in a clean plastic bucket or other non-metal container and mix well. Fill the soil sample bag at least 3/4 full. Do not use a galvanized bucket if the soil is to be analyzed for zinc or other micronutrients.

4. The area included in one sample should have been uniformly fertilized and limed in the past. When collecting the sample, avoid high or low spots, eroded areas, and areas along roads and fences. Sample problem areas within a field or yard separately.

Please call the Extension Office for any questions you may have.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.