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Ecological Soil Management

Soil has been called the “fine, thin skin” of our planet. It provides numerous vital functions to sustain life on earth. Today, we are asking our agricultural soils to produce more food and fiber with fewer inputs and less environmental impact.

Washington State has diverse climates, crop production, and soil types. Soil management strategies also vary. Through ecological soil management we strive to implement strategies appropriate to the local climate and soil type that encourage successful crop production indefinitely and protect the surrounding environment.

Soil Testing

Soil analysis can guide farmers and gardeners in mak­ing soil amendment and soil management decisions. Taking soil samples annually will allow for tracking management practices and influencing future soil amendment decisions.

Washington State has diverse climates, crop production, and soil types. Soil management strategies also vary. Through ecological soil management we strive to implement strategies appropriate to the local climate and soil type that encourage successful crop production indefinitely and protect the surrounding environment.

Soil Quality

Soil productivity is influenced by soil biology, soil organic matter, and management practices such as tillage. We rely on quality soil for food production. Quality soils also do not contribute to wind and water erosion, and they increase carbon storage, suppress soil-borne diseases, provide adequate crop nutrition, and recycle organic wastes.

Inputs

Soils frequently need inputs in the form of fertilizers, lime, organic amendments, and cover crops to maintain productivity.

Soil Classification

Soils are formed through the interaction of parent material, climate, organisms, aspect, and time. Soil classification allows us to discuss the similarities and differences among soil properties. Soil series is the most specific soils class and knowing which soil series or group of series exist at a particular site will provide valuable information for soil management.

Water Management

This section covers soil moisture, irrigation, water quality and water rights.

Equipment for Tilling and Cultivating

Tillage provides a nice seedbed by temporarily decreasing soil compaction. In this “looser” soil, seedlings can grow more easily, air exchange is facilitated, and water penetrates more rapidly. Also, competing plant species are injured or killed by tillage. In annual cropping systems, even in no-till systems, it is necessary to disturb soil to place a transplant or seed. No-till or conservation tillage systems reduce soil disturbance to minimize the negative impacts of tillage.

Composting

Composting is a process that stabilizes organic matter while decreasing pathogens and weed seeds. Compost has different chemical and physical properties than the ingredients used to make it. This section provides resources that are valuable for making and using compost.