County gardeners don’t have to sit idle this time of year, even if winter rears its icy head every few days, Lawrence County Extension agent Dave Dyke said.

Friday, February 11, 2000

County gardeners don’t have to sit idle this time of year, even if winter rears its icy head every few days, Lawrence County Extension agent Dave Dyke said.

Mid- to late winter is the perfect time to sample soil and begin a fertilizing program in home gardens, Dyke said.

"It’s kind of tough to take samples when the soil is frozen, but as soon as it thaws that’s the most important thing you can do for your garden," he said.

Labs can use samples to test the soil’s basic nutrition, in other words, what amounts of vital plant nutrients it contains, Dyke said.

"The tests will tell you exactly how much fertilizer to put down so you don’t burn up plants or you don’t have enough fertilizer," he said.

For example, the test will return a soil’s pH value, which basically is a number that shows what form the different minerals take in soil, and that in turn affects how much of each mineral is available for plants to use.

"Even though the elements are in the soil, and you can have really rich soil, if the pH is wrong, the nutrients are not in the form the plants can use," Dyke said.

Gardeners can put lime on the soil to change that pH. Lime also helps clay soil break up easier, improving its air space and workabiity, or "tilth," he said.

Soil tests also detail how much lime a garden needs.

So, by tilling that amount of lime, or fertilizer if necessary, into the soil during the winter months, it has enough time to make the pH better by spring planting time, he added.

"It just doesn’t work as well if you put lime over planted crops."

For those gardeners needing soil tests done, the extension office can refer people to private labs, Dyke said.

Paperwork and sampling bags are available at extension’s first floor courthouse office in Ironton. Most soil labs only charge about $5.50 for a basic soil analysis, he said.

"It’s probably about the best $5.50 you will ever spend."

Winter also can be the best time to start, or continue, other winter garden activities, like:

– Check stored fruits and vegetables for deterioration.

– Watch for deer damage in the landscape such as rubbing and chewed bark. Put up barriers to discourage them.

– Stock up on calcium chloride, sand, or ash to use on icy walks. These are less damaging to plants than the traditional salt.

– Clean up all dead foliage or begin pruning plans.

– Grab those seed catalogs and start planning, but use the wet paper towel germination test on old seeds before placing new seed orders.

– Check shrubs for rabbit or deer damage. Protect trunks by wrapping cloth or plastic protectors around the base.

– Keep bird feeders filled and birdbath filled with water if you have a heater to keep it thawed.

– Sow some herbs such as basil and thyme in a pot on the windowsill – it can boost winter spirits.