Saturday Seminars presents:
Understanding Soil Reports—A Case Study
Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask
Saturday, September 23, 2017
10 a.m. to noon
Mountain Horticultural Research Station in Mills River
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Presenters: Judy Deutsch and Donna Sapp, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers
Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers often recommend soil testing when creating a new garden, when an existing garden fails to thrive, or just to check soil requirements. But the soil test report can be confusing and leave you perplexed. What does “120 pounds of lime” mean? And, what kind of lime? Is an 8.5 CEC (cation exchange capacity) good or bad? If my soil potassium level is over the optimum, what should I do?
Get answers to these and other questions at the seminar. We will discuss how to correctly obtain a soil test. Then we will review the results of an actual soil test report. We will also cover useful soil amendments. You’ll leave understanding how to interpret your test results and what action to take in your garden to improve your soil.
In North Carolina, soil testing is done by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This is a free service to NC residents from April 1 through November 30. (You only pay the postage.)
You are encouraged to bring your own test results to the seminar for discussion and clarification. Soil testing takes several weeks, but you may be able to get your test done prior to this program if you act quickly! Soil test kits and forms are available at the Extension office, 49 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville. Test kits will also be available at the seminar.
The seminar is free but registration is requested by calling 828-255-5522.
Directions to the Mountain Horticultural Research Station in Mills River
Travel west on Bolyston Highway (NC-280) past the Asheville Regional Airport. In 1.7 miles, turn right onto Ferncliff Park Drive at traffic light. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto Old Fanning Bridge Road (past the entrance to Sierra Nevada brewery). Go 0.9 miles on Old Fanning Bridge Road. Turn right at the top of the hill onto Research Drive.
