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Soil pH and pasture productivity on the Oregon Coast

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.

Troy Downing | May 2009 | Article

Adding compost improves soil’s texture and adds nutrients

The best soil amendment is partially broken-down organic material, better known as compost

Kym Pokorny | Mar 13, 2021 | News story

Used appropriately, coffee grounds improve soil and kill slugs

Coffee grounds can be worked into the soil or added to a compost pile but should be done with some restraint.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 23, 2023 | News story

Using soil type to estimate potential forage productivity

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.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2018 | Article

Sheet mulching — aka lasagna composting — builds soil, saves time

Sheet composting, also referred to as lasagna composting or sheet mulching, is a cold composting method used by people around the world for generations. It is an excellent way to convert grass to vegetable beds, create new ...

Jan 2013 | Article

Don’t worry, maggots help break down compost pile

Soldier fly larvae are voracious consumers of high nitrogen materials such as kitchen food scraps and manures, as they decay.

Kym Pokorny | Aug 19, 2022 | News story

Compost for blueberry plants: Testing and tips

Compost is an acceptable amendment for blueberry plants, but it's important to test it before you apply it. Pay attention to pH and nutrient levels, and watch out for weeds.

Dan M. Sullivan | Mar 2015 | Article

Myth vs. reality: What’s the truth behind some common gardening practices?

Experts from Oregon State University Extension Service stepped up to bust some common gardening myths.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 14, 2023 | News story

Sampling Dairy Manure and Compost for Nutrient Analysis

This guide describes how to obtain a representative sample of stockpiled dairy manure or dairy compost, select a reliable manure or compost testing laboratory, determine which lab analyses are needed (including total...

Amber Moore, Mario de Haro-Marti, Lide Chen | Jul 2015 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Is composting a good fit for your small farm?

Compost can quickly improve degraded soil and reduce weeds, pathogens and pests. But a large-scale composting program on a small farm can be labor-intensive and costly. Here's how to decide if it's a viable option.

Nick Andrews | May 2015 | Article