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
Photo Credit: glebchik - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)
In most years, vineyards in Oregon start the season with a full soil water profile. As the season progresses, the soil dries out. Here's how to gauge a vineyard's water needs and methods for meeting them.
Alexander Levin |
Oct 2018 |
Article
Photo: Linda Tucker Serniak, PhD candidate at Oregon State University and Joanne Schneidermann Dole, Master Gardener (Cropped from original)
The jumping worm, an invasive species new to Oregon, harms the soil by reducing it to granules, making it more porous and less able to retain water. Here's how to identify jumping worms and help stop their spread.
There are lots of gardening tasks to complete in April, including fertilizing your lawn and preparing soil and raised garden beds. Learn more in this guide.
This article describes how to determine vineyard nutrient needs through grapevine tissue and soil sampling. It also provides tissue testing guidelines.
For Oregon gardeners, May is a busy month. It's time to check soil temperatures, establish irrigation systems, and to start planting flowers and vegetables. Learn more in this guide.