Soil | OSU Extension Service

Featured Resources

Soil Acidity in Oregon: Understanding and Using Concepts for Crop Production

Soil acidity, expressed by low soil pH, causes reduced crop growth and significant economic loss. It is the most commonly overlooked and poorly understood yield-limiting factor in western Oregon and a developing concern in eastern Oregon. This publication describes the concept of soil acidity and the limitations it causes for crop production.

Dan Sullivan, Andy Hulting, Nicole Anderson | Jul 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog

A Guide to Collecting Soil Samples for Farms and Gardens

Laboratory soil tests help you develop your soil and increase crop production by providing information on available nutrient content. Soil testing helps you select the correct kind and amount of fertilizer and liming material. Learn why, when, and where to collect your soil sample, and get straightforward instructions for how to take the soil sample and choose a lab to perform the analysis.

Melissa Fery, Jeff Choate | Oct 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog

Latest Content

Estimating soil moisture by feel and appearance

This publication provides direction on estimating soil moisture by the "feel and appearance" method; taking a some soil and rolling it up in a ball then squeezing it between your thumb and forefinger to form a ribbon and noting how it appears and feels. Compare what you see with photographs and/or charts to estimate percent water available and the inches depleted below field capacity.

Oct 2019 | Online Resource

Lime Requirement Buffer pH Update 2019

This fact sheet describes recent discrepancies between SMP and Sikora buffer pH lime requirement tests for western Oregon soils and provides recommendations for what to do. Many soil testing labs in the U.S. are switching from the SMP to the Sikora buffer test for lime requirement in an effort to reduce the use of carcinogenic chemicals in the procedure. Wide-scale testing ...

Nicole Anderson | Sep 2019 | Fact Sheet

Selecting Successful Cover Crops for Your Hop Yard

This fact sheet is designed to help guide commercial hop growers in selecting cover crops. The guide discusses benefits and considerations or cons for four different cover crop strategies: annual fall planted, annual spring planted, annual re-seeding and perennial sod. Cover crop suggestions are tailored to western Oregon climate and regional cropping practices.

Betsy Verhoeven | Sep 2019 | Fact Sheet

Browse All Resources

Latest News

New ‘droughty’ soils model for Pacific Northwest could aid forest health in changing climate

Scientists have developed a new approach to modeling potentially drought-prone soils in Pacific Northwest forests, which could aid natural resource managers to prepare forested landscapes for a changing climate.

Chris Branam | Aug 16, 2018 | News Story

Climate change, plant roots may accelerate carbon loss from soils, say OSU researchers

Roots emit chemicals that release carbon by breaking bonds with minerals

Gail Wells | Apr 3, 2015 | News Story

Soil parasite costs Northwest wheat growers $51 million in lost revenue, says OSU

A microscopic parasitic roundworm is costing Pacific Northwest wheat growers $51 million in lost revenue each year because it's cutting grain yields by an average of about 5 percent, according to estimates by Oregon State University researchers.

Apr 15, 2013 | News Story

All News

Upcoming Events

Oaks Belowground

569 Hanley Rd
Central Point, OR 97502
United States

Jan 23, 2020 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Event

Nutrient Management for Diversified Vegetable Growers

4077 SW Research Way
Corvallis, OR 97333
United States

Feb 8, 2020 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Event

OSU Curry County Master Gardener™ Training Schedule - Soils

29390 Ellensburg Ave, PO Box 488
Gold Beach, OR 97444
United States

Feb 14, 2020 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Event

Have a Question? Ask an Expert!

Ask an Expert is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask Us a Question