close-up photo of soil after tilling

Knowing the pH and nutrient content of your soil is important to successful growing.

Soils & Soil Testing


Soils

Soil Texture. This factsheet discusses: 

  • the four soil texture classifications of sands, silts, loams, and clays; 
  • how they combine to make textural classifications; 
  • how soil texture is determined; 
  • and the 5 soil management groups in New York State.

Soil Organic Matter. This factsheet describes: 

  • types of organic matter in soil; 
  • their physical, chemical & biological benefits; 
  • farm practices that help maintain or increase soil organic matter levels; 
  • and the importance of continued monitoring of soil organic matter content.

Soil Testing. Visit our page on "How to take a soil sample" for testing and see what Soil Testing Services are offered by or through Cooperative Extension.


Climate

Growing Degree Days (GDD) are a measure of heat accumulation used by horticulturalists to predict the date that a flower will bloom or a crop reach maturity. Statistics for the Northeast are provided on this Cornell Atmospheric Sciences & Turf Team website.

Cornell Gardening page with information on average dates for last spring frost and first fall frost, US hardiness zone map, and microclimates.

Contact

David Chinery
Horticulture Turf Management Sr. Resource Educator
dhc3@cornell.edu
(518) 272-4210 ext 114

Last updated July 26, 2019