Information about a pasture's soil can help maximize its production. Here's a step-by-step guide to using the NRCS Web Soil Survey website to gather soil information for specific pastures.
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.
Unusually wet springs can lead to more plant disease and fungal growth in our gardens than is typically seen. However, not all wet-spring plant issues are diseases although they may look like them.
Irrigating pastures can provide livestock with nutrition long into summer. Learn to monitor soil moisture to determine when to irrigate and how much water to apply.
Hemp plants are susceptible to disease, especially at the early stages of development. Hemp growers can promote healthy plants by using high-quality seed and avoiding soil that is wet, dense or poorly drained.
When moss grows in pastures, it's usually a sign of a deeper problem. Permanently getting rid of moss requires addressing the underlying problem, whether that's the condition of the soil or too much shade.
Reseeding a pasture or hay ground requires more than just spreading seed on the ground. There's a sequence to the process, from testing the soil to addressing weeds, deciding on forages and considering livestock use.
Renovating and reseeding a pasture requires time, money and a little luck. There are many ways to go about it, but if you begin the planning process in the spring, you’ll thank yourself in the fall.
Melissa Fery |
Dec 2009 |
Article
Photo A by G. Shrestha; photos B and C by C.M. Ocamb, Oregon State University. (Cropped from original)
Hemp is susceptible to fungal pathogens that induce wilt disease that can kill plants. The fungi that cause the disease can survive for years and are easily spread. But there are steps growers can take to prevent it.
Cool-season perennial and annual forages often struggle during the heat of summer. Fortunately, there are some strategies to consider — including planting drought-tolerant forages, warm-season grasses and annual legumes.