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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Eric Barrett presented at the Poland library's "Soil and Fertility for Gardens and Landscapes." He went over common myths and typical problems people have with their garden. For example, he said that most people add too much lime to their soil and use fertilizer at the wrong parts of the year. He explained how to properly compost and use a rain barrel without risking affecting your crops with E. coli bacteria.
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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Members of the Ohio State Extension presented at the Poland library on Oct. 11. They gave tips and advice to help gardeners. Pictured are, from left, (front) Barbara Biery, Nancy Brundage, Rhonda Harris; (back) Bill Snyder and Eric Barrett.
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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Dr. Bill Snyder, retired chemistry professor, went over a sample version of a soil test during his presentation at the Poland library on Oct. 11. The extension gave everyone an opportunity for a free soil test.
By ZACK SHIVELY
Eric Barrett, Ohio State Extension educator, set up the “Soil and Fertility for Gardens and Landscapes“ event at the Poland library to discuss how to make gardens nutrient rich on Oct. 11.
Dr. Bill Snyder, Barbara Biery and Rhonda Harris joined Barrett at the event. They offered a free soil test to everyone who came to the event.
They handed out a program, questionnaire and booklets information on gardening at the door. Barrett introduced himself and gave a brief overview of what they would talk about during the event.
Snyder, a retired chemistry professor, began his lecture on chemical makeup of soil after the introduction. He works with the master gardeners at the extension and teaches botany and other sciences to the staff.
He explained the different levels of chemicals in gardens, like phosphorus and nitrogen, and what each chemical does. He showed sample results to a soil test designed to see what chemicals are lacking, abundant or just enough.
He proposed solutions to solving each problem. He also talked about what can change in a garden and what cannot change.
Barrett presented following Snyder. He went over common myths and typical problems people have with their garden. For example, he said that most people add too much lime to their soil and use fertilizer at the wrong parts of the year. He explained how to properly compost and use a rain barrel without risking affecting your crops with E. coli bacteria.
He numbered the most common ways to fix soil issues. Gardens need plants that grow in Northeast Ohio. Those plants need to be placed in areas with the correct amount of sunlight. Many plants need space to bloom. Also, people need to use the correct amount of fertilizer in their gardens.
Biery, former president of the Mahoning Valley Farm Bureau, spoke briefly at the end of the event. She spoke about the bureau and placed information on the organization inside the bags handed out at the beginning of the event.
The OSU Extension has a weekly section in Thursday’s edition of “The Vindicator” called “Valley Grows.“ These articles cover tips for gardening, ways to get soil tested and events that the extension will be hosting.