Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Enrollment

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It's Time to Test Your Soils

Amy Ivy, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

September 14, 2018

Fall is the best time to test your soils so that any amendments you add, especially if you need to change your pH, have time to take effect before the next growing season. Both lime (which raises pH) and sulfur (which lowers pH) need months to work. If you put this off until spring your soil may be too wet and the soil labs get backed up with all the other last minute samples, so try to get this important task done this fall.

 A standard vegetable test costs $12 at the Agro-One/Dairy-One lab in Ithaca. Put your Extension Educator's name on the form so we'll get a copy too, which expedites our ability to comment. The link to the form is:  http://dairyone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Form-V.pdf  or we can send you a paper copy. Make sure you are using the V form, for vegetables.  This is a Modified Morgan Soil Test package and includes pH, Modified Mehlich Buffer pH (lime requirement), percent organic matter and extractable phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, zinc & manganese plus Cornell generated nutrient recommendations if a valid soil name is provided. The form has all the details on where to mail the sample, the cost, and payment methods. It's a good idea to keep a copy for your records until you receive your results.

You can use whatever lab you like, the main thing is to stay with the same lab time after time so you can compare your results as you make amendments. Different labs often use different extractants which can make comparing results between them impossible. But do choose a lab from your region since the geology and climate varies so much around the country. Labs in the southeastern US often use the Mehlich III test while New York soils are better suited to the Modified Morgan or Morgan test.

Please note: the test result is only as good as the sample you provide, so take the time to gather a representative, composite sample. Use a small plastic bucket or plastic grocery bag and a clean shovel or soil probe (free of rust) and take about a half cup of soil from 6-10 locations from the field to be tested. Do not include the surface soil which may have contaminants or plant matter but do include soil from 2-6 inches deep.  Mix these samples together in your bucket to make one composite sample.  Let the soil air dry before sending about 2 cups of it to the lab. The Agro-One lab prefers you send your samples in their cardboard sample boxes which they provide for free. You can use a paper lunch bag, but since the soil needs to dry out, they discourage submitting your soil in plastic bags.

This link has more details about soil sampling: http://dairyone.com/analytical-services/agronomy-services/soil-testing/

Beets, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, rutabaga and turnip have high born requirements, especially if the pH is 7.0 or above. For these crops consider having the extra $10 boron test done, and check off that option at the bottom of the soil test form.

For high tunnels we recommend adding in the soluble salts test for an extra $5 so you can keep track of this level over the years. Since tunnels don't receive soaking rains to dilute salts, they are prone to building up in the soil.

Interpreting soil test results can be daunting but any of us on the team would be glad to work through your results with you.

 



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Apples

Apples

Apricots

Apricots

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Asparagus

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Beets

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Blueberries

Broccoli

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Cabbage

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Carrots

Cauliflower

Cauliflower

Cherries

Cherries

Cucumbers

Cucumbers

Dry Beans

Dry Beans

Eggplant

Eggplant

Ethnic Vegetables

Ethnic Vegetables

Garlic

Garlic

Grapes

Grapes

Horseradish

Horseradish

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Leeks

Lettuce / Leafy Greens

Lettuce / Leafy Greens

Melons

Melons

Nectarines

Nectarines

Onions

Onions

Parsnips

Parsnips

Peaches

Peaches

Pears

Pears

Peas

Peas

Peppers

Peppers

Plums

Plums

Potatoes

Potatoes

Pumpkins / Gourds

Pumpkins / Gourds

Radishes

Radishes

Raspberries / Blackberries

Raspberries / Blackberries

Rhubarb

Rhubarb

Rutabaga

Rutabaga

Snap Beans

Snap Beans

Squash - Summer

Squash - Summer

Squash- Winter

Squash- Winter

Strawberries

Strawberries

Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Turnips

Turnips

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Upcoming Events

Cover Crop Field Meeting

Event Offers DEC Credits

October 21, 2025 : Cover Crop Field Meeting
Willsboro, NY

Thinking about upping your farm's cover cropping game? New technology for seeding and crop tracking, research-driven recommendations for high tunnel cover cropping, cold tolerant varieties for North Country climates, and farmer expertise will be shared at this field event.

View Cover Crop Field Meeting Details

New York State Agritourism Conference

November 10 - November 11, 2025 : New York State Agritourism Conference
Saratoga Springs, NY

The first-ever New York State Agritourism Conference, hosted by the CCE Agritourism Program Work Team, is designed to support farms in growing successful visitor experiences. This statewide gathering will feature expert-led sessions, peer networking, and practical tools to help farms expand direct sales, education, hospitality, and entertainment offerings.

Date:

  • November 10: A full day of educational sessions targeted at beginning or experienced agritourism operators.
  • November 11: A half-day, interactive networking session with fellow attendees.
View New York State Agritourism Conference Details

ASL 104sp Seleccion y organizacion del personal (Staffing and Organizing Your Team) taught in Spanish

November 12, 2025 : ASL 104sp Selección y organización del personal (Staffing and Organizing Your Team) in Spanish

ASL104-SP: Selección y organización del personal (Staffing and Organizing Your Team - impartido en español) ¡Inscripciones abiertas!

En este curso identificamos cómo escribir descripciones de puestos disponibles en el trabajo para atraer a los mejores candidatos. Aprenderá a encontrar empleados con un perfil deseado, cómo entrevistar y seleccionar a las personas adecuadas. Descubrirá cómo completar la documentación de nuevos empleados, la autorización de empleo y la contratación de personal (on-boarding): es decir, cómo efectivamente incorporar nuevos empleados al rancho en una manera exitosa y productiva.

Los temas incluyen:

  • Convertirse en un lugar de trabajar preferido
  • Planear cuántos y qué trabajadores se necesitan
  • Diseñar descripciones de trabajos para un mejor reclutamiento
  • Cómo evitar favoritismos y discriminación
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  • Cómo decidir a quién contratar
  • Y cómo dar una buena bienvenida al nuevo trabajador


Inicio del curso: miércoles, 12 de noviembre de 2025
Discusiones en vivo por Zoom: Cada martes 18 de noviembre - 23 de diciembre, de 1:00 a 2:00 p.m. (hora del Este)

View ASL 104sp Seleccion y organizacion del personal (Staffing and Organizing Your Team) taught in Spanish Details

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This website (https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/) contains our calendar of upcoming programs and registration links. For updated programmatic information, technical resources and links to newsletters please see our program blog site: https://blogs.cornell.edu/enychp/.
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