Spring Takes Us to the Out-of-doors!

Spring has certainly been welcome after our persistent winter. For many, the advent of spring means working in your yard and garden. A good place to begin is to get to know the composition of your soil.

Healthy soil is essential for healthy plants; they are better able to fight off insects and diseases. So, a good place to begin in spring is to have your soil tested, especially if you haven't done this for several years. A soil test from MSU Extension will measure the levels of Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and the pH of your soil (whether it is acidic, neutral or alkaline) which affects how well plants are able to make use of the nutrients in the soil. Knowing the contents of your soil can save you time and money; allowing you to focus on the nutrients that are missing. MSU Extension's soil testing service costs $15; soil samples are sent to the Soils Laboratory at Michigan State University. Click here for soil sampling instructions. Explanations of the soil tests can be found at http://www.css.msu.edu/SoilTesting.cfm

With so many of our homes and businesses located along waterways, it is extremely important not to add phosphorus, unless your soil is lacking this nutrient. Excessive phosphorus causes excessive algae growth in streams, lakes, and ponds. More information is available in a brochure from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Soil samples may be dropped off at the MSU Extension office Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The office is located in the county office building at 3299 Gull Road (Nazareth complex), Wing 2, Room 410.

Have garden questions? Master Gardener volunteers will be happy to answer those questions through the Garden Helpline. You may call 384-8056 anytime and leave a message; a Master Gardener will return your call and answer your questions. You may also visit with our Master Gardeners at several retail greenhouses each Saturday in May. They will be at Countryview Showplace, Gull Meadow Farms, Gernaat's Greenhouse, River Street Flowerland and Saunders Greenhouse.

Another source of information about landscape issues is the IPM newsletter published weekly at Michigan State University. You may access copies of this newsletter at: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/land-cat.htm

The next Master Gardener class will begin mid-September. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this class, please contact Linda Whitlock at (269) 383-8815 or at whitlo13@msu.edu. More information is available about the Master Gardener Volunteer program in our brochure.

The Consumer Horticulturist located at the MSU Extension office is also available to answer your questions. Contact Linda Whitlock by calling (269) 383-8815 or by email at whitlo13@msu.edu. With the exception of the soil sample, all of these services are available to you at no cost.