Phosphorus is essential for plant growth and ecosystem productivity. In many natural forests, plants rely on soil microbes to release bioavailable phosphorus from organic matter. The PhoD gene, which ...

Gardeners know that healthy soils lead to healthy plants. But how do we ensure our soils have what they need for optimal plant growth and development? A soil test is a great start. Whether you opt for ...

There’s a good argument to make that Leinster’s signing of James Lowe has been the greatest ever in Irish rugby. From coming in as an All-Black reject in 2017, Lowe has been a juggernaut for Leinster ...

Where do you look first when soil test reports arrive? If Fred Vocasek could only have one piece of information from a soil test report, he would choose soil pH. “Soil pH reveals more about the soil ...

Every gardener knows that watering can be tricky. Some days the soil looks dry on top but feels damp underneath, and other times it seems fine until the leaves start drooping. Many of us believe that ...

When we talk about tough soil conditions in Wisconsin, high pH is not the first thing that comes to mind. But in certain counties and field conditions, it can be a persistent barrier to crop ...

Pine needle mulch doesn’t significantly acidify soil because the needles lose their acidity as they decompose. Bare spots under pine trees are more likely caused by dry shade and root competition than ...

COLUMBIA CITY — Purdue Extension Educators frequently encourage homeowners to get soil tests when they want to grow new plants in an area, or try to diagnose what’s wrong with plants currently growing ...