Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Soils
Soils are one of the most important considerations in selecting and man-
aging an orchard site. They are, quite literally, the foundation for your orch-
ard. One of the most important steps in selecting or managing an orchard
site is to test the soil. Soil test kits are available from garden centers and
horticultural suppliers, but many do not provide adequate or accurate data.
It is best to have your soil samples analyzed by a commercial or university
laboratory that is familiar with the soils in your area. Because soils differ as
you move from one region to another, different tests and interpretations are
used.
In general, you will want to have your soil tested for pH, organic matter,
buffering capacity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), phosphorus (P), potassi-
um (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), and boron (B). If you are
in an arid location or are planting on land that has been fertilized or irrig-
ated, include a salinity (electrical conductivity or EC) test. Laboratories have
standard tests, such as an extended fertility test, that may include additional
nutrients. If you do not know what type of soil you have, a particle size dis-
tribution (PSD) analysis will be important in helping you develop soil man-
While much is made of soil fertility in crop production, soil nutrients are
relatively easy to adjust, particularly when establishing a new orchard or re-
planting. The purpose of a preplant soil test is to establish baselines that will
help you choose what amendments, if any, to add and how much of each.
