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.

Last updated July 26, 2019