The inclusion of cover crops in a cash crop rotation can have huge benefits to soil fertility and productivity, while at the same time protecting waterways from excess nutrient runoff.
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Nitrogen Production
Cover crops, specifically legumes, can create plant available nitrogen (NH3) from nitrogen gas (N2) which is readily found in the Earth’s atmosphere. Legumes create nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria, Rhizobium. Rhizobia infects the legumes root hairs; the bacteria receive its required sugars and vital nutrients while the host legume receives the excess plant available nitrogen. It is estimated that one-half of the NH3 created becomes available to the subsequently planted crop, approximately 1-2 months after the legume has been terminated.

Nutrient Scavenging
A common concern in modern agriculture both by farmers and water quality experts is the amount of applied nutrients that are left on the field after cash crops have been harvested. In a typical cash crop rotation, crop ground can lay fallow for several months giving nutrients the correct conditions to rapidly exit the field. In the scenario where a cover crop is established rapidly after or even before harvest, these leftover nutrients  in the soil are taken up by the cover crop. Nutrients are safely stored until the cover crop is terminated and the nutrients can again be made available for a cash crop or remain as organic matter. This both reduces the amount of excess nutrients entering waterways, but also keeps farmer’s dollars (spent on fertilizer) in the field where it is an asset for future cash crops.

Soil Builder – Compaction Breaker
Cover crops also stand to improve soil quality and composition. Most notably the life cycle of a cover crop dictates that it is not harvested at termination. In this scenario the organic matter from the terminated crop all remains in the field and over time will increase the amount of organic matter of the top soil. Organic matter is an important aspect of soil health; it directly correlates to fertility in that a nominal amount of organic matter will: provide food for the soil’s microbial ecosystem, improve water infiltration and holding capacity, and enhance its ability to hold onto and supply nutrients to growing crops.

Specific cover crops can also be a vital tool against compaction. The ever-increasing size of agricultural machinery is cause for concern regarding the compaction of productive soils. Cover crops which have deep roots can penetrate deep into the ground, improving soil permeability, which in turn increases water infiltration and aeration. Additionally, specific cover crops which have large taproots can break through hard pans and compacted layers of soil. This creates macropores for future cash crop root growth.

Erosion Prevention
Perhaps the most well-known benefit of cover cropping is the claim that planting a cover crop reduces erosion. The crop is physically “covering” the soil and shields it from both wind and water erosion. A 6mm raindrop is traveling up to 20 mph when it impacts the surface. The drops impact on the soil displaces soil particles and starts the process of erosion. Shielding bare soil with a cover crop keeps soil in place and retains the structure of the topsoil. Live roots along waterways and areas that carry water during heavy rains also help keep soil aggregates stationary during wet season rains.

Additional Benefits
Cover crops can provide weed suppression benefits. This is typically done by out competing or overshading growing weeds. Additionally, some species of cover crops have the ability to release substances and chemically inhibit the growth of surrounding plants (i.e. cereal rye, sunflowers and buckwheat).  Cover crops if managed properly and planned accordingly can also provide grazing and forage opportunities to growers who also manage herds of livestock.
 
Program Opportunity:
To learn more about the benefits and types of cover crops for southwest Ohio, please join the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District for the annual Agriculture Conservation Breakfast on February 24th from 8:30AM-11AM at the Countryside YMCA Events Center, 1699 Deerfield Road, Lebanon. This program is free, but registration is required. To register, please go to warren.swcd.com or call, 513-695-1337.

Additional Resources:
Rain or Shine (https://open.library.okstate.edu/rainorshine/chapter/5-3-raindrop-impact/)
Cover Crop Farmers of Southwest Ohio (https://clermontswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2017/12/covercropfarmers.pdf)
Cover Crops for Southwest Ohio (https://fairfieldswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/SWOhioCover-CropBooklet.pdf)
Ohio Cover Crops (https://cfaes.osu.edu/features/ohio-cover-crops) 

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but the end of summer is quickly approaching.
While that means pumpkin spiced lattes, football, and changing leaves are all around the corner, it might also mean you are thinking about closing your pool for the season. 
There are several things you should consider when preparing for the end of the season to help protect the natural resources and infrastructure in your area.

Draining Pool Water 101
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1. Make Sure Pool Water is Chemical-Free Before Draining 

Let pool water stand for a week (7 days) without adding any additional chemicals. This allows for chlorine to dissipate from the water. The pH range should be between 6.5 and 8.0 and residual chlorine/bromine needs to be less than 1.0 mg/l (ppm) before discharging. You can use a home test kit or strips to verify levels. Before draining, also clear as much sediment, debris, leaves, etc. from the pool water as you can.

Note: Any pool chemicals, pool filter backwash, and saltwater pool discharges are prohibited from being discharged in stormwater systems and drainage channels leading to steams. Water that is conveyed through stormwater systems is not treated prior to being discharged into natural waterways. 

2. Be Mindful of Where You are Draining

Once pool water is free of all chemicals, the water should be discharged over landscaped area, lawns, or woods. These areas soak up water better than bare soils and helps to prevent erosion and sediment runoff. This practice also prevents picking up additional contaminants off hard surfaces like roadways or sidewalks. Be sure to keep the discharges on your property to prevent hardship to any neighbors. 
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​3. Do Not Drain Everything at Once

Rather than a fast moving, concentrated stream, the best practice is to drain the water slowly over a few days to allow for the absorption of water into the ground.  ​Spreading the water out over an area can also help to prevent erosion from the discharge.  If draining from a hose, move the hose around to prevent continued saturation in one area. 

4. Do Not Drain Pool Directly into Septic System

This can overwhelm the system and cause failures. Failed septic systems can discharge waste that has not been properly treated and pollute stormwater systems and natural waterways as well.  

Bonus Tip to Protect Your Natural Waterways :
Make sure your pool chemicals are stored in labeled and lidded containers in a secure and dry storage area. Make sure that you are disposing any leftover chemicals or storage containers according to the direction on the container.  

For more information on proper pool closure, contact our office at 513.695.1337

A horse, on average, can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds and can defecate roughly 13 times a day. This roughly equates to about 50 pounds of wet manure a day – including urine. The bedding that is gathered in the animal waste, also contributes to the weight. The bedding can increase the total volume to 2-3 feet of waste per day.  Per one ton of manure, the nutrients that can be found include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – with bedding having the potential to also affect the nutrient reading. If not managed properly, manure runoff can cause pollution with the potential to negatively impact local waterbody sources.

Storage:
Keeping animal waste as dry as possible results in less waste that must be transported elsewhere. Consider a NRCS Conservation Practice for a waste storage facility which will help prevent runoff and is also helpful for winter storage, since Ohio does not allow manure spreading on frozen or snow-covered ground. For large facilities, cost-share options may be available.

Composting:
Composting utilizes an accelerated decomposition process that uses the organisms and bacteria found growing in the soil that helps break down manure. The process requires proper oxygen and moisture levels, as well as proper feedstock mixture, to ensure proper microbial activity. The composting piles must be turned to ensure proper aeration and the final product of composting is a crumbly and has a low odor and resembles topsoil.
 
Contact a technician at Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District at (513) 695-1337 if you have questions.
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Also, consider the Ohio Livestock Manure Management Guide written by OSU Extension: https://agcrops.osu.edu/sites/agcrops/files/imce/fertility/bulletin_604.pdf

Did you know that no matter where you live, everyone lives in a watershed? Yep, you read that right. Every part of Warren County, the state of Ohio, and the United States is all part of a watershed.

So now you may be wondering, what is a watershed? A watershed is a land area that drains to a central location, such as a lake, river, or ocean. Think of it as a shallow depression or bowl in the landscape where the “rim” is a ridge or hill. Here in Ohio, we have two main watersheds: the Lake Erie Watershed and the Ohio River Basin Watershed. 

​In Warren County, we are part of the Ohio River Basin Watershed, but when broken down even further, Warren County is made up of several smaller watersheds that drain to either the Great Miami River or the Little Miami River.

The Great Miami River is in the northwest corner of Warren County and flows through 15 counties in Ohio into the Ohio River. The Great Miami River’s watershed is comprised of urban development and agricultural land. The Little Miami River runs nearly the entire length of Warren County and, like the Great Miami River, flows into the Ohio River. The Little Miami River’s watershed spans across a large portion of southwestern Ohio, encompassing all or part of 11 counties. Much of the watershed that feeds into the Little Miami River is comprised of agricultural land, but the watershed still contains urban development. After the water from the Great Miami and Little Miami Rivers flows into the Ohio River, it makes its way to the Mississippi River and then reaches its destination in the Gulf of Mexico.

To understand more about how water systems are connected, it is important to note that even the smallest of actions can affect a watershed. Runoff from fields, lawns, and pavement could carry potentially harmful materials into the watershed. In Ohio, harmful algal blooms caused by phosphorus runoff, failing drinking water systems, wastewater, and aging water infrastructure are some of the top water issues that are being addressed. In 2019, Governor Mike DeWine launched H2Ohio, “a comprehensive water quality initiative that is working to strategically address serious water issues that have been building in Ohio for decades” (H2Ohio, 2019). The top priorities of H2Ohio include reducing phosphorus, creating wetlands, addressing failing septic systems, and preventing lead contamination.

H2Ohio in action locally! The Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District is in the process of securing a H2Ohio Wetland Grant that will fund the creation of a wetland to address stormwater flooding in Turtlecreek Township.
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For more information on the Ohio River Basin visit https://www.savelocalwaters.org/ohio-river-watershed.html and for more information on H2Ohio visit https://h2.ohio.gov/about-h2ohio/.

For more information regarding watersheds, Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District programs and/or technical assistance, contact our offices at 513-695-1337 or [email protected]. 

The primary host of SLF is the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Tree of heaven is a rapidly growing deciduous tree native to China that is now spread across North America. It is a problem as well because it spreads quickly and aggressively by producing enormous amounts of seed (approximately 300,000 annually) and it secrets a chemical into the soil that is toxic to surrounding plants. While finding an invasive insect that eats an invasive tree sounds like good news, it is not. Unfortunately, SLF also likes to dine on other plants and trees including grape, hop, apple, stone fruit, maple, poplar, pine walnut, sycamore, and willow. 

​SLF lays eggs on smooth host plant surfaces and on non-host material, such as bricks, stones, outdoor furniture, playground equipment, firewood, etc. Eggs hatch in the spring and early summer, and nymphs begin feeding on a wide range of host plants by sucking sap from young stems and branches.  Adults appear in late July and start to feed. As the adults feed, they excrete a sticky sugary substance called honeydew. The fluid builds-up on plants and on the ground underneath infested plants, causing sooty mold to form. The feeding weakens the plant, reducing photosynthesis, and eventually can lead to killing the plant.

SLF can fly short distances, walk, and jump, but its long-distance movement is helped by humans thru moving infested materials. According to Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), “on October 28th, 2021, the ODA announced a quarantine to combat the spread of the spotted lanternfly. SLF is now designated a destructive plant pest under Ohio law, which increases inspections and restricts movement of certain items from infested counties in Ohio and other states into non-infested Ohio counties.”

If you suspect that you have found SLF, please call or email the Plant Pest Control Section of the Ohio Department of Agriculture: (614) 728-6400 or [email protected]. or report via the EDDMapS Great Lakes Early Detection Network mobile app. For more information regarding SLF, Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District programs, and/or technical assistance on water or soil questions, visit http://warrenswcd.com or call 513-695-1337. 

Additional Resources:
Ohio Department of Agriculture - https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/slf

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/slf

New York State Integrated Pest Management, Cornell University - https://nysipm.cornell.edu/whats-bugging-you/spotted-lanternfly/

​Penn State Extension – Tree of Heaven -  https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven

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