Producers have questioned the conventional advice to apply lime to change the pH of coastal soils. We look at one set of data on ryegrass pastures that shows the return on investment may indeed be modest.
Not every yard is suited for in-ground gardening. In rental situations or in areas with poor soil, garden space must sometimes be “created.” That's when raised beds and containers come into play.
Nicole Sanchez |
Apr 2020 |
Article
Photo Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original)
Q: I have heard about applying lime to my lawn and garden to improve my soil. Can I use the pictured product, and how would I apply it? There are no application directions.
Some plants absorb excess nitrates or oxalates from the soil and store them in plant tissues. Toxicity problems can occur in animals which feed on these plants.
Mylen Bohle, David Hannaway, Andy Hulting, Karin Neff |
Apr 2018 |
Educational gallery
Tansy ragwort, an invasive weed that can harm certain types of livestock, is making a comeback in western Oregon. Find out how to control it and protect your animals.
Shelby Filley, Andy Hulting, Gene Pirelli, Eric Coombs |
Aug 2011 |
Article
This collection of links and publications are compiled information about managing nutrient levels in your pasture. This includes soil testing and assessment, application of fertilizers and minerals, and nutrient cycling in a forage pasture.
The Oregon State University Soil Fertility Program has completed a formal evaluation of the Sikora buffer to replace the SMP buffer for estimating lime requirement in Oregon. Twenty-four acidic soils from Oregon were tested for actual lime requirement using a lab incubation of lime and soils. The actual amount of lime needed to reach pH targets of 5.6, 6.0, and 6.4 was highly correlated to the SMP buffer (r2 = 0.91-0.93) and the Sikora buffer pH (r2 = 0.91-0.93). These correlations are the basis for new updated lime recommendations for both Sikora and SMP buffer pH methods (Table 1) and will be used to update OSU extension guides containing lime recommendations. The new SMP recommendations are included for the time being for the remaining labs still using the SMP method, but may be phased out over time as more labs switch to Sikora. We thank the Oregon Tall Fescue Commission for providing the necessary support to complete this project.
Q: I am considering using some 2x6 inch material for a small raised bed for strawberries. My first thought was to consider pressure treated lumber, but I have read conflicting articles on the the safety of this product, with ...
Q: We have wheat planted and along our fence line we have an infestation of tansy ragwort. Is it a good time to cut the flowers off, bag them, and leave the plant; or should I spray it? The neighbor across the road has...