Free Soil Health Testing Still Available at WSU

WSU still has money left over to help growers in Eastern Washington get their soil testing through Extension.

The test will evaluate several aspects of soil organic matter. Organic matter is important because it improves water intake and storage, boosts soil biology, makes your fertilizer work better, and promotes crop yield.

The free testing is open for onions, potatoes, mint, apples, cherries, grapes and blueberries.

Growers will be selected for this free testing based on time of request, crop, and location. If selected, you will receive information on how to sample (it's easy, 0-6" depth) and where to take the soil samples.

To get your soil tested, all you have to do is send the following information to Andrew McGuire, andrew.mcguire@wsu.edu, or text to 509-237-2115: name, phone number, nearest town, crop produced on the soil to be tested (not necessarily this year), and any soil-building practice being used on this soil; cover crops, amendments (manure, compost, etc.), or reduced tillage (strip-till, no-till).

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.