Soil Test Kits

These are the kits we just bought for the club. We have four sets -- so there is enough for everyone to have one test capsule of each color.

We will keep the little testing containers and eye droppers in a container in the (soon to be new and improved) give and take area. PLEASE WASH THEM AFTER YOU USE THEM.

We probably will not all be able to test on the same night (the upcoming work night) -- but for three of the tests you are supposed to mix some of your soil with water and let it settle for one to 24 hours anyway. So you may want to bring a container to mix in and then come back at some point on Saturday or Sunday to test.

HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS. They will be in the give and take area as well, but you may want to read them ahead of time.

Don't Rush to Plant!

This article from the Detroit News urges gardeners in Michigan to resist the urge to plant until at least mid-May, because planting in soil that is still too cold and/or during fluctuating temperatures will stunt your plant and they may never entirely recover.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/nancy-szerlag/2015/04/23/spring-planting/26260047/

NWS Grand Rapids Announces Growing Season

Growing season is underway for parts of SW Lwr Michigan. We will begin issuing frost/freeze headlines for this area. pic.twitter.com/Zna7otr1Ke

— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 22, 2015

Dirt Matters

As we will learn from Byron on Tuesday, the pH of your soil is very important! Below is a link I ran across about testing your soil.

The first method involves using a commercial tester (maybe we should look into how much these cost and all share one). Methods two and three use items we all have around the house - or at least we easily could.

Method two = you boil some red cabbage and put it in various cups and add soil to it. This looks like a fun science experiment to try as a family!

Method three = uses baking soda and vinegar.

Lots to learn here!
"How to Test Soil pH" from Wikihow.

http://www.wikihow.com/Test-Soil-pH

    

Looking a Bit Bleak Right Now

It's kinda brown and forlorn. But that's why this is the BEFORE picture. Within six weeks, it is going to be BEAUTIFUL SPRING AGAIN.

Excited to spend some of it together in the garden!