WSU Extension Stevens County Master Gardeners

WSU Extension Stevens County Master Gardeners We are your neighbors and members of your communities. Our Programs and Priorities inform our efforts to shape healthy communities and a healthy planet.

We are actively engaged in teaching research-based gardening and environmental stewardship practices.

Thanksgiving is a week away. Time for a refresher on food safety for the day. Did you know that taking your turkey out o...
11/20/2025

Thanksgiving is a week away. Time for a refresher on food safety for the day. Did you know that taking your turkey out of the freezer on Wednesday and letting it thaw overnight on the counter is not safe? So says Larry Clow in an article on Thanksgiving food-safety tips from the University of New Hampshire Extension Service.

Overarching tips include:
– Always Be Washing: Wash your hands and all cooking surfaces often. When in doubt, wash.
– Don’t Mix Them Up: Keep raw meat and ready-to-eat foods separate.
– Taking Temperature: Cook meats and poultry to proper temperatures. Use a food thermometer for accurate readings.
– Leftover Love: Some people love leftovers; others don’t. But the best way to show your leftovers some love is to refrigerate them promptly and use within four days.

Read more, including turkey-thawing instructions in the full article at https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2023/10/thanksgiving-food-safety-basics.

This penultimate* entry in our series on soil testing draws from the presentation delivered by Matt Williams, chief scie...
11/19/2025

This penultimate* entry in our series on soil testing draws from the presentation delivered by Matt Williams, chief scientific officer at Predictive Nutrient Solutions, at this fall's WSU Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference. The Q + A details a few sample questions gardeners and farmers might have after viewing (and in some cases implementing) results from their soil test.

(*Because of a technical glitch, we ran the planned last entry in the series, a list of resources, on Monday, Nov. 17).

Q: I fertilized based on the results and my plants still look terrible, why?

A: Other causes of poor plant health
• Too much, too little water (Irrigation)
• Soil type? Rocky? Clay?
• Heat, cold
• Pollination problems
• Insect damage (above and below ground)
• Disease damage
• Shade, sun
• Allelopathy or competition
• Abiotic damage
• Fertilizer selection (when and how release nutrients)

~~~

Q: What do I do if my soil has too much sodium?
A:
• Add gypsum
• Leach
• Must have good drainage
• Plant sodium tolerant plants
• Ex. Tall Fescue, Bougainvillea, Daylily, Mugo Pine, White Pine, alfalfa

~~~

Q: Why should I consider adjusting my pH if it is out of the optimal range?
A:
• Nutrient availability
• Optimize plant growth and development (Think blueberries & alfalfa)
• Effect on soil microbes
• Avoid toxicity of certain elements, especially Aluminum in very acidic soils and sodium in highly basic soils
• What to use? Primarily Sulfur, Lime, Dolomitic Lime
• Irrigation water influence on soil pH

~~~

Q: I have high nutrients, what do I do now?
A:
• Don't apply fertilizers containing that nutrient
• Allow plants to uptake and remove that nutrient over time
– Macronutrients
– Micronutriente
– Leen More ©
• What about Nitrogen?
• Still fertilize?

~~~

Q: How can I use my recommendation to find products locally?
A:
• Look for products with similar ratios and containing the nutrients that are low
• This may be more than one product
• Calculate amount needed for your area to know amount to purchase and apply
• If uncomfortable doing the math to get new application rate, then follow the label directions
• 8-3-5
• 13-6-13

By now, most gardeners are familiar with the fact that huge number of organisms are found in our soils. Mycorrhizal fung...
11/19/2025

By now, most gardeners are familiar with the fact that huge number of organisms are found in our soils. Mycorrhizal fungi are an important component of this beneficial underground life, playing a significant role in plant and soil health. Beneath the average-sized footprint in healthy soil are 300 miles of long, thread-like filaments, called fungal hyphae. Most of those soil fungi are mycorrhizal. Learn more about mycorrhizae and what they do for the soil in this week's column in the Statesman-Examiner by WSU Stevens County Master Gardener Dana Combest.

Continuing our monthly series in which we're showcasing one of the nine program priorities of Washington Master Gardener...
11/18/2025

Continuing our monthly series in which we're showcasing one of the nine program priorities of Washington Master Gardeners with short videos. Today, we're looking at the Nearby Nature priority.

See the video at https://youtu.be/UZdqKltg9Qw?si=glVp8n88NkxLvmXo.

See how WSU Master Gardeners impact nearby nature at https://mastergardener.wsu.edu/priorities/2024-impact/2024-nearby-nature-impact/.

Learn how nearby nature benefits you and your community at https://mastergardener.wsu.edu/priorities/nearby-nature-tips/.

See all 9 program priorities at at https://mastergardener.wsu.edu/priorities/

We conclude out 9-part series on soil testing with a curated list of resources on soil testing:– A Gardener's Guide to S...
11/17/2025

We conclude out 9-part series on soil testing with a curated list of resources on soil testing:

– A Gardener's Guide to Soil Testing: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/a-gardeners-guide-to-soil-testing

– How do I test my garden soil?
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/how-do-i-test-my-garden-soil

– Soil Test Results: "What's Next?" Guide for Homeowners: https://extension.psu.edu/soil-test-results-whats-next-guide-for-homeowners

– Soil Testing: https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/greenhouse-floriculture/greenhouse-best-management-practices-bmp-manual/soil-testing

– Soil Testing for Home Gardeners:https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/wp-extension/uploads/sites/2093/2021/03/SoilTestingHomeGardeners.pdf

– Soil Sampling Guidelines:https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-368-w.pdf

– Soil testing resources: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/collection/soil-testing-resources

– Soil Sampling For Residential Areas: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/452/452-129/452-129.html

– Soil Testing for Horticultural Needs: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132

– Soil Testing, The Right First Step Toward Proper Care of Your Lawn and Garden: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/soil-testing.html

– Soil Testing: https://extension.usu.edu/utah/gardening/soil-testing

– Test Your Garden Soil: https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_a/A114/

– When and How to Take a Soil Test:https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/soil_testing_infosheet.pdf

– Soil Testing: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/soil-testing/

On National Homemade Bread Day, we celebrate WSU's Breadlab Collective and the bread recipe it developed called The Appr...
11/17/2025

On National Homemade Bread Day, we celebrate WSU's Breadlab Collective and the bread recipe it developed called The Approachable Loaf – a tin-baked and sliced loaf that contains no more than seven ingredients and no non-food. It is at least 60-100% whole wheat and priced under $8/loaf depending on regionality. Here's a link to the recipe: https://breadlab.wsu.edu/the-approachable-loaf-and-the-breadlab-collective/.

And to honor the simultaneous National Butter Day, here's a recipe from the North Carolina State extension for making butter in a jar: https://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Amazing-Homemade-Butter.pdf.

Continuing our soil-test series:A soil test report provides a snapshot of your soil’s fertility and guides decisions on ...
11/16/2025

Continuing our soil-test series:

A soil test report provides a snapshot of your soil’s fertility and guides decisions on amendments and fertilizers. Most reports include several key indicators:

– pH: This measures soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0–14. A pH between 6.0 and 7.5 suits most garden plants. If pH is too low (acidic), apply lime; if too high (alkaline), elemental sulfur can help. pH affects nutrient availability, so correcting it is often the first step.

– Organic Matter (OM): Expressed as a percentage, OM improves water retention, nutrient supply, and soil structure. Levels of 3–6% are ideal; below 3% suggests adding compost or other organic materials.

– Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): This indicates the soil’s ability to hold nutrients. Higher CEC (15–20) means better nutrient retention, common in clay or organic-rich soils. Low CEC soils may need frequent fertilization and organic matter additions.

– Macronutrients: Reports typically list phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sometimes magnesium (Mg) in parts per million (ppm) or pounds per acre. These nutrients are essential for plant growth. Labs often rate levels as “low,” “medium,” or “high” and provide recommendations. For example, P levels of 10–20 ppm are generally adequate for gardens.

– Recommendations: Most reports include fertilizer and lime suggestions tailored to your crop or lawn type. Follow these guidelines, but avoid adding nutrients already rated “high” or “very high,” as excess can harm waterways and waste money.

Finally, soil tests reflect current conditions, so retest every 3–5 years to track trends. Consistent sampling depth and timing improve accuracy. Understanding these basics helps you make informed, cost-effective decisions for healthy plants and sustainable soil.

Additional resources on soil-test-results interpretation:
– Soil Test Interpretation Guide, Oregon State: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1478-soil-test-interpretation-guide
– How to Interpret Soil Test Results, Iowa State: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-interpret-soil-test-results
– Interpreting Test Results, University of Illinois, https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/interpreting-test-results
– Interpretation of Soil Test Results, University of Minnesota: https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/interpretation-soil-test-results-lawn-garden

This series will continue Wed., Nov. 19.

After a few days' hiatus, we continue our soil-testing series with highlights of how to collect soil samples for testing...
11/15/2025

After a few days' hiatus, we continue our soil-testing series with highlights of how to collect soil samples for testing, from Matt Williams, chief scientific officer at Predictive Nutrient Solutions and presenter at this year's WSU Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference:

• Take multiple sub-samples from random spots.
• Samples should be taken from the same depth as each other.
• Avoid unusual areas (or sample separately).
• At least 45 days after fertilizer application
• Mix sub-samples into a composite, add soil to container

• Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENxl-aoJuc.

Here are additional resources on collecting soil samples.
– https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-628-guide-collecting-soil-samples-farms-gardens
– https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/collecting-soil-samples
– https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/2025/08/16/soil-sample/

Happy National Pickle Day! It's the perfect day to download the free, 20-page PDF "Pickling Vegetables," a joint publica...
11/14/2025

Happy National Pickle Day! It's the perfect day to download the free, 20-page PDF "Pickling Vegetables," a joint publication of Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the University of Idaho. The publication includes 17 recipes for pickling various vegetables and also offers safety tips, describes equipment and ingredients needed, as well as the pickling process.
Download it athttps://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/extd8/files/documents/pnw355.pdf

It is important to clean and protect gardening pots, containers and tools when they are not in use. Improperly stored po...
11/12/2025

It is important to clean and protect gardening pots, containers and tools when they are not in use. Improperly stored pots can crack or break when exposed to winter’s freeze and thaw cycles, while dirty garden containers and equipment can transfer pests and diseases to other plants. Check out autumn tips on how to clean and store your garden supplies for the winter so you can keep calm and pot on when spring comes around in this week's Statesman-Examiner article by WSU Master Gardener Christine Gile.

Continuing our series on soil testing, we today look at 4 types of soil tests described by Matt Williams at this year's ...
11/11/2025

Continuing our series on soil testing, we today look at 4 types of soil tests described by Matt Williams at this year's WSU Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference; Williams is chief scientific officer at Predictive Nutrient Solutions. It's not an exhaustive list of test types, but gives gardeners a starting place. A resource is provided for each test so you can learn more.

1. Conventional Soil Testing
Definition: Conventional soil testing involves analyzing soil samples for basic chemical properties such as pH, nutrient levels (N-P-K: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), organic matter, and cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Purpose: To guide fertilizer and lime recommendations for crop production.
Methodology:
– Soil samples are collected from the field.
– Extractants like Mehlich-3, Bray, or Olsen are used to determine nutrient availability.
– Labs report nutrient levels and suggest amendments.
Strengths:
– Widely accepted and standardized.
– Good for general fertility management.
Limitations:
– May not reflect actual nutrient uptake by plants.
– Doesn’t account for biological activity or micronutrient interactions.
Resource: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/a-gardeners-guide-to-soil-testing

2. IERC Soil Testing (Ion Exchange Resin Capsules)
Definition: IERC stands for Ion Exchange Resin Capsules. This method uses synthetic resins that mimic plant roots to absorb nutrients from the soil over time.
Purpose: To measure bioavailable nutrients in a way that simulates plant uptake.
Methodology:
– Resin capsules are buried in soil for a set period.
– Nutrients absorbed by the resin are extracted and analyzed.
– Reflects dynamic nutrient availability rather than static concentrations.
Strengths:
– Mimics root uptake more closely than conventional tests.
– Useful for monitoring nutrient fluxes over time.
Limitations:
– Less standardized.
– Requires careful calibration and interpretation.
Resource: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4048&context=etd

3. Paste Extract Soil Testing (also known as Saturated Media Extract, Greenhouse Media Test, or Saturated Paste Test)
Definition: Paste extract testing involves creating a saturated soil paste and extracting the solution to analyze soluble nutrients.
Purpose: To assess the immediate availability of nutrients in the soil solution, especially in high-salinity or greenhouse environments.
Methodology:
– Soil is mixed with water to form a paste.
– The liquid portion is extracted and analyzed for EC (electrical conductivity), pH, and soluble ions (e.g., Na⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻).
Strengths:
– Reflects nutrients available in the soil solution.
– Useful for managing fertigation and salinity.
Limitations:
– Doesn’t account for nutrients held on soil particles.
– May vary with moisture content and soil texture.
Resource: https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/greenhouse-media-testing

4. Tissue Testing (Plant Tissue Analysis, so technically not a test of the soil itself)
Definition: Tissue testing analyzes the nutrient content of plant tissues to assess actual nutrient uptake and diagnose deficiencies or toxicities.
Purpose: To evaluate plant health and nutrient status during the growing season.
Methodology:
– Leaves or other plant parts are sampled.
– Samples are dried, ground, and analyzed for macro- and micronutrients.
– Results are compared to sufficiency ranges.
Strengths:
– Direct measure of nutrient uptake.
– Helps fine-tune fertilization during the season.
Limitations:
– Doesn’t indicate soil nutrient reserves.
– Timing and sampling technique are critical.
Resource: https://www.uaf.edu/ces/publications/database/gardening/plant-tissue-testing.php

This series will continue on Sat., Nov. 15.

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