River Friendly Farm Tip of the Month

Testing your soil provides you with valuable information about the types of nutrients available to your crops and to help you make sure that they have adequate levels to grow properly. Testing your soil also saves you money and protects resource water quality by providing you with a guide for the amount of nutrients that need to be applied for healthy growth and to guard against the over application of nutrients. River-Friendly Farmers make sure to test their soil at least every three years. The two best times of year to test your soil quality is in the fall after harvest or in early spring before making any nutrient applications to the soil, so if you never tested your soil in the fall now is a great time to get your soil tests in before the labs get busy. Below you will find helpful information to help you get the soil test process underway.

Taking a Soil Sample Instructional Video
Soil Testing Labs
Information About Soil Testing
Interpreting Your Soil Test Results

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Managing soils for proper nutrients, PH, and moisture has always been a challenge for farmers. Some of this work can be done by increasing soil organic matter. The system naturally has the capacity to nurture itself if it is fostered correctly. Organic material in the soil breaks down to tiny humus particles that will play a dominant role in maintaining nutrients and moisture for your crops. Feed the soil with organic material and it will work for you. How do you increase organic matter? Cover crop, reduce erosion, reduce tillage, green “manure” crops, and consider amending the soil with fully seasoned compost. For more information visit these links:

What is organic matter

Soil Organic Matter Fact Sheet

Also, you can contact me for information about cost-share to help you increase organic matter in your soil.

Education
Rutgers University 2009
B.S. in Plant Science
Entomology Minor

From the Author’s Desk
Over many years I have had the fortunate experience of traveling and hiking throughout the United States. These experiences germinated a passion within me to better understand the cycle of life and our place within that cycle. Over the years I have noticed that there seems to be a disconnect between us as human beings and our environment around us. I hope with my background in science and business coupled with my passion for our environment that I will be able to help bridge this disconnect. I believe that in working with the Agricultural community I will be able to help local farmers find a way to run successful, sustainable and environmentally friendly businesses.

Patrick Natale

Agricultural Outreach Specialist