April showers bring May flowers, and now is the time to start thinking about getting your soil tested! Getting your soil tested helps you find out what your lawn and garden needs and ensures that you are not over fertilizing or hurting your plants. Over fertilizing means you are putting more nutrients into your soil than your plant needs to survive. So instead of being used, the nutrients get carried away by runoff and cause pollution problems in lakes, streams, and even groundwater.

Did you know that the major cause of algae blooms is too many nutrients in the water? We all have a responsibility to help reduce the likelihood of harmful algal blooms in places like the Little Miami River, Caesar's Creek Lake, Landon Lake, and other ponds, lakes, and streams in our community. Before you head out to shop for your outdoor landscape this spring, consider purchasing a soil test from us here at the Soil & Water Conservation District. Or, if you have a lawn service, make sure they conduct a soil test before adding anything to your lawn.

We sell soil test kits for $15 ($20 to add an organic matter test) during regular business hours at our office located in Lebanon at 320 E. Silver Street. Or you can give us a call at 513-695-1337 and we can mail you a test for an additional postage cost of a dollar or more.

Some of the questions we often get are listed below:

How do I take a soil sample?

1. Obtain an MSUE Home Lawn and Garden Soil Test Mailer from the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District.
2. Decide which one lawn or garden area you would like to test. You can determine a area by land use or what you plan to plant. Separate soil test should be done for each land use (i.e. vegetable garden, flower garden, front lawn, back lawn, trees and shrubs, etc.) 
3. Use a spade or a trowel and a clean plastic pail.
4. Collect 10 random soil samples from this lawn or garden area. Each of these samples should be about 1/2 cup. Obtain samples across a zig-zag pattern.
5. To collect your sample, remove a slice of soil BELOW the depth of the root structure (usually 3-4 inches deep for lawn; 7 inches deep for all other plants). 
6. Do not include roots, thatch or other plant materials in the sample.
7. Mix the 10 sub-samples together. If the soil is wet, spread it on paper and allow to air dry overnight before filling the sample bag. Do not use artificial heat (i.e. radiator, oven, microwave, hair dryer, etc.) to force-dry the sample.
   
   

How much soil do I need for the sample?

1. Place roughly 1 cup of the well-mixed soil inside a plastic bag and place in the cardbord box and seal carefully. Do not overfill the plastic bag. 

What does it test for?
Your soil test will determine the soil nutrient levels for pH, Phosphours (P), Potassium (K), and Magnesium (Mg). The test will also let you know if you are below optimum, optimum, or above optimum for each of these nutrients. You will also get information on Calcium and the Cationic Exchange Capacity (CEC). Soils with a high CEC will remain fertile over a longer period of time, requiring fewer fertilizer applications. Soil pH will determine the way nutrients are made available to the plants.

Why doesn't it test for Nitrogen?
Nitrogen moves quickly through the soil, and some forms dissolve easily in water and are carried away with runoff. By the time your soil sample reaches the lab and they analyze it, the level of nitrogen is no longer what it was when you took the sample so the reported number would not be accurate. However, you will receive information on nutrient needs for Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium based on your test results.

Why should I test for organic matter?
Generally, soil is made up of 45% minerals (rocks), 25% water, 25% air and 5% organic matter. The organic matter is the decomposing plant and animal material inside your soil and will range anywhere from 1-6% of the soil composition. Organic matter is very important to plant nutrition. Organic matter results in less soil compaction, allowing more air to pass through and increased water storage.

Recommendations:

• If you have a low pH, we recommend lime applications and if you have a high pH, we recommend sulfur applications.
• Problems with nutrient deficiencies are addressed with fertilizer recommendations.

When will I receive my test results?
You will receive an email with your results within 10 days after your sample is received by the lab. Without an email address, the results may take slightly longer by mail.

What do I do once I receive the results?
Your soil test report from MSU will provide you with recommendations on nutrient needs and fertilizer options based on your test results. Make sure you provide the lab with as much information about the test area as you can so they can provide more specific options. You can also go to their website: http://www.msusoiltest.com/understand-your-soil-test/ and type in your soil test details to receive a specific fertilizer ratio for N, P, and K.

Do I need to fertilize? 
Not necessarily. One of the best fertilizers for your soil is compost! And once you have a container, it is free to make. You can also leave your grass clippings on your lawn after you mow to provide your grass with a ready source of fertilizer and help keep moisture on your lawn.

Give us a call at the OSU Extension office: 513-695-1853 or Soil and Water Conservation District at 513-695-1337 for more assistance. 

Happy Spring!


Information for this blog post was provided by Michigan State University Extension, the Ohio State University Extension and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Have you ever heard of tree physiology?

The 5th Taking Root Annual Great Tree Summit was held at the Countryside YMCA in Lebanon at the end of February. The summit focused on local tree information and included a keynote by Tom Kimmerer, a tree physiologist, PhD, scientist, author and photographer at Venerable Trees, Inc. Throughout the presentations we learned a lot about new tools available for communities looking to manage their neighborhood  trees and ways to implement forestry practices to help control stormwater in urban landscapes. We also learned about how trees respond to changes in the environment and communicate with one another. There is much we still don't know about the complexities of trees, but Tom provided an excellent overview about some of the new findings. Check out his website here or read his book: Venerable Trees - History, Biology, and Conservation in the Bluegrass.

Trees and Stormwater:
​If you looking to implement trees into your stormwater management plan or want to learn more about how trees increase infiltration and help store water in the soil, visit treesandstormwater.org - a brand new website tool created by the OKI Regional Council of Governments. This tool is universal and provides a variety of resources including a document builder to help you build your case to inform local decision makers of options and best practices for including trees in stormwater facility design regulations and policies.

i-Tree:
Another great tool that can be used to conduct a benefit analysis for trees in your area is a USDA Forest Service system called i-Tree. All of the tools on i-Tree are freely available and provide information on specific tree benefits, inventories, maps, and the ability to explore the importance of the trees that are near you.

Local Information:
The City of Lebanon also provided information and updates on their street tree plans. The city recognizes the benefits and importance of trees in the community and maintains a well planned system.

Our Annual Tree Seedling Sale is open until March 14, 2018! Visit our catalog to take a look at the seedlings we have to offer and make your purchases before the deadline!

Looking for a volunteer opportunity that has to do with trees? Taking Root is a volunteer-run organization that is looking for new recruits! Check out their website for updated events and opportunities or contact them directly to become a volunteer.

Where can you find clean, high quality waters bordered by rich forested corridors that are inhabited by rare aquatic species and numerous game fish? Look no further than Ohio’s state wild, scenic and recreational rivers.

Ohio pioneered the river conservation movement when it passed the nation’s first Scenic River Act in February 1968. The National Scenic River Act followed in October of the same year. Fifty years later, 14 rivers have been officially designated as Ohio state wild, scenic and recreational rivers. Three of these rivers have also been named national scenic and recreational rivers.

With more than 60,000 miles of rivers and streams in Ohio, this select group represents some of the state’s highest quality streams. Most are home to rare or endangered species and an exceptional diversity of fish and other animals.  With outstanding water quality, an abundance of aquatic life and naturally wooded corridors, it’s no coincidence they are also recreational gems.

Hope Taft, Former Ohio First Lady, is a long-time advocate of scenic rivers. “The Little Miami River has gotten a lot cleaner in the last 50 years, but we can’t forget about it,” said Taft. “The river plays a big part in our health, safety, recreational enjoyment and our quality of life.”

Paddle one of Ohio’ s wild, scenic or recreational rivers and you’ll quickly notice the abundance of trees. Wooded stream banks are critical to protecting the river’s water quality and natural character as well as providing habitat for fish and other wildlife. Conserving these areas, known as riparian forests, is a focal point of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program, which currently protects more than 6,000 acres of riparian corridor across the state.

Healthy forested river banks, outstanding water quality and diverse aquatic life are all criteria for wild, scenic and recreational river designation. Equally important, is local community support for the protection of a river system since only local interest can initiate the designation process.

On April 23, 1969, the Little Miami River earned the distinction of becoming Ohio’s first designated state scenic river. From its headwaters in Clark County, the Little Miami flows southwesterly for 105 miles, traversing five counties before arriving at its confluence with the Ohio River. The Little Miami River was also the first Ohio stream to be designated as a national scenic and recreational river.

Noted for breathtaking vistas and scenery, the Little Miami River supports rich and abundant aquatic life. More than 87 species of fish have been recorded from the system.  Thirty-six species of mussels, including one federally endangered, one federally threatened, and five state endangered species also have been found in the system.  In addition to this rich aquatic life, numerous species of breeding birds reside within the river valley.

Scenic Rivers staff joins local communities in conservation initiatives and on-the-water public programming.  More than 30,000 people participate in Ohio Scenic Rivers programming annually, including hundreds of volunteers who assist with stream quality monitoring. A growing number of public access sites are making it easier for citizens to enjoy fishing, paddling and hunting on riparian lands protected through the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program.

Join the Ohio Department of Natural Resources this year to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ohio’s State Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Program and 50 years of river conservation success stories. 

To learn more about 50th anniversary programming, in your area and across the state of Ohio visit: watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/scenicrivers

-Article contributed by: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Calling all artists! The 6th annual Rain Barrel Art Project has begun and we are looking for individuals or groups to submit ideas of art they would like to paint on a rain barrel. The entry period is open until January 22. Click here to submit your idea.

2018 Project Timeline 
Nov. 15 (of 2017) to Jan. 22 - Entry Period (Click here to submit artwork)
Jan. 23 to Jan. 29 - Selection Period
Feb 10 - Artist Workshop @ The Cincinnati Zoo
Feb. 10 to Mar. 29 - Painting Period
Mar. 29 to Mar 31 - Rain Barrel Dropoff @ The Cincinnati Zoo
​Apr. 1 - Apr. 19 - Rain Barrels Displayed @ The Cincinnati Zoo
Apr. 9 to 19 - Rain Barrel Art Online Auction 
April 19 - Party for the Planet, Auction Finale, and Artist Reception 

How do I participate?
1. Go to the entry form and submit your idea for approval.
2. If your design is approved, attend the artist workshop on February 10.
3. Pick up your rain barrel at the end of the workshop. 
4. Return your rain barrel by Mar. 31 and visit it at the Cincinnati Zoo.

What happens after I return the barrel?
1. Barrels are displayed throughout the Zoo between April 1 and April 19.
2. Barrels will be auctioned online between April 9 and April 19.  
3. The money raised from the auction will be used for environmental education at SaveLocalWaters.org and at the Zoo.

Rain barrels continue to grow in popularity across the country. However, one of its biggest drawbacks is their dull appearance. Some people are less likely to use them given the lack of aesthetic value they offer to residential and commercial landscaping, even though they conserve water and save money. We believe that producing beautiful artistic rain barrels that have unique painted details will make them more desirable and naturally  promote their use. 

The Rain Barrel Art Project is designed to educate people on environmental issues like storm water runoff, watersheds and water conservation. To learn more about this project and other stormwater education campaigns visit SaveLocalWaters.org 

Winter weather is here, so we would like to share some ways to enjoy the snow and protect the environment all at the same time! Consider these friendly tips for weathering the winter while staying conservation minded.

Reusable Bags
While you are out purchasing your holiday gifts and groceries, remember to bring along your reusable bags! During our stream cleanups we always find plastic bags caught up in the stream or wrapped around trees. By using reusable bags, you are reducing the number of plastic bags in our landfills and in our environment.

Tree Recycling
If you have a natural Christmas tree this year, please consider recycling or reusing your tree instead of sending it to a landfill. Warren County has a number of drop-off points where you can take your tree to be composted. Click here to visit the Warren County Solid Waste District site for a list of locations.

Ice and Snow
To avoid ice buildup, try to remove snow from hard surfaces before it becomes compacted into ice. Shovel your snow into areas that are level and able to absorb the water once the snow has melted. This allows potential pollutants from roadways and driveways to be filtered out by plants before reaching our streams.

Putting salt on walkways, driveways and sidewalks helps to keep everyone safe from ice. However, keep in mind that the salt only works when pavement temperatures are 20 degrees or higher. This means the product won’t melt snow and ice during extreme cold temperatures. Also, more salt doesn’t mean it will work better. Make sure to follow proper application guidelines when using the product. 

If you still have piles of salt on your hard surfaces after the snow and ice clears, make sure to sweep up and dispose of the extra salt that didn’t get used. If salt isn’t cleaned up, rain or snow melt will carry the salt to our local streams where is it harmful to the fish and other aquatic life.