However, as spring planting gets closer in the April – May time frame and March in some places. Winter is a good time to check the soils current nutritional levels.

In January, there was a blog post on the Midwest Labs Blog Site, Winter Soil Sampling and Soil Testing and it featured an article, “Pros and Cons on Winter Soil Sampling“. I think this document has a lot of good information regarding soil nutrients and what type of values to expect in the winter with respect to Phosphorus and Soil pH. Well worth the read.

Maintaining a soil history is a very good practice. If you are used to obtaining soil test information in the Fall or Spring, you might want to see how those values compare with your winter numbers. In addition, in the winter the ground is lightly frozen and not as messy as spring time or fall after fall rains and early snow has fallen.

Picture via Dendrocia cerulea

Check out this article on the Midwest Labs News Site.

A lot of valuable lessons were learned in 2009 :

• Dealing with high moisture corn – some grain bins may need to be purchased in the future.
• The need for testing corn for toxins may be required in the future – Mycotoxins,  Don(Vomitoxins),  Ochratoxin, Full Screen
• Soybean Aphids – Plan for spraying- Ohio Area

Planning for 2010

• Spend more time in the field – looking for pests and answers
• Spend the time to determine the best seed for your specific field conditions.
• Need to soil test before next year
  • Know your soils potential
  • Know the areas of poor fertility
  • Keep a log on each field

Once again, read the full article, its well worth your time.

-    improves your home’s value – curb appeal is absolutely necessary for selling
-    maintains your home’s worth if you are not planning to move
-    encourages you to enjoy your yard and use the full potential of your lot
-    saves money by limiting fertilizers and pesticides – these aren’t regularly needed when your plants and lawns are healthy.

One of the best tools you have at your disposal is soil analysis from soil testing companies such as Midwest Labs.

Soil testing can tell you:

1) Physical ingredients in your soil.  Soil across the world is made up of three primary components, and the percentages of each are a factor in growing a healthy lawn:

* Clay
* Silt* Sand

The ideal soil for lawns is called “loam,” which is 40 percent sand, 20 percent clay, and 40 percent silt.

2) Consumers can also opt for contaminated soil testing. Options may include examining for harmful substances as lead.

3) Chemical imbalance. The overuse of chemical pesticides or fertilizers has been an environmental concern for years. Improving the balance of the fertilizing chemicals in the lawn, makes for healthier grass, but also puts less fertilizers into the environment.

Midwest Labs professional soil testing can offer more practical information on how to make improvements. Reasonable recommendations can be made to help you easily develop a green, beautiful lawn.

Greenery requires a chemical balance to function properly and grow well. A soil test is cost effective in that

•    You can be better able to manage healthy growth for your plants,
•    It negates the need to replace dead or poorly thriving landscaping,
•    Provides you with a tool to maintain a beautiful and bountiful lawn and garden, which helps you enjoy your area so much more,
•    You can greatly reduce your costs for fertilizers and pesticides,
•    If you can adequately nourish your plants they can fend of pests more effectively.

Midwest Labs soil testing will give you pH balance and chemical makeup of your soil sample. The results can tell you what the acidity levels are. A pH balance is required for optimum growth.  Midwest Labs test results also include

•    information on micro-nutrients,
•    organic matter percentages,
•    and any harmful contaminants.

Test options are also available to check for heavy metals in your ground.

Midwest Labs soil testing lab is the key to bringing it all together and finding a better garden.

Several nutrients are absolutely essential for proper plant growth. Equally as important is the pH level.   Midwest Labs soil testing lab will advise the proper fertilizer and or lime you need to use, and they will help you to not over-fertilize your plants. Over-fertilization:

1.    is a waste of money,
2.    can lead to burnt, overgrown plants with maturation problems
3.    is bad for the environment.

Your soil testing results will report the pH level as well as levels of:

1.    phosphate,
2.    potassium,
3.    manganese,
4.    calcium,
5.    zinc
6.    and magnesium.

Based on the testing results, the soil testing lab will recommend the fertilizer you should use for optimum plant growth.

An analysis from soil testing lab, Midwest Labs, includes levels of key nutrients that are essential for your plants’ proper development. For instance, the typical test will determine the current levels of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese in your samples.

Once the testing is complete, a recommendation will be made about the best type of fertilizer to use for the specific types of plants you intend to sow.

For traditional growing methods, a customized analysis of your garden or farm fields ensures that you won’t waste money on over-fertilization, or worse yet: do your plants physical harm by adding too many chemicals.

For organic growers, the test will suggest what nutrient minerals are lacking.  This will help you determine what organic mulch may be necessary.  You can use compost as an alternative to fertilizers. If you opt to use this option or the chemical option, a soil testing lab is the best resource you have to optimize the success of your crops and gardens.