February 20, 2004 News Releases
Released 2/18/04 and 2/19/04
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 02-19-04
Ask A Specialist:
DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON SOIL TESTING?
As with humans, when a plant is sick, it looks miserable for
a while, receives extra water, gets thrown some expensive granules,
and is expected to get better. However, when the plant dies,
we are surprised at its lack of stamina, then place a new one
in the same spot. When that one dies, we scratch our heads and
wonder why we have such poor luck with plants.
As with humans, there are tests that can be run to help diagnose
problems in the landscape. One that is very effective is a soil
test. It is the first thing that should be done when problems
persist in the landscape. The test analyzes essential components
that may cause problems in the soil. It is also a good indicator
of how to correct the problem. Here is what a soil test will
show.
• Texture. The texture of soil is the percentage of sand,
silt and clay. This indicates whether the soil is heavy in clay
or has a high sand content. Knowing the texture helps determine
irrigation needs. It also makes a difference when it comes to
selecting plants and deciding which will grow well in an area
and which will not.
• Lime. The lime content of soil is the percentage of
carbonates. This is not a problem in northern Utah. We have
more than enough lime, and it rarely poses a problem. It is
not necessary to add lime to our soils.
• pH. The pH is a measurement of the acidity of the soil.
The pH is a scale from 1 to 14, with 1 being extremely acidic
and 14 very alkaline or basic. Most of our soils fall in the
range of about 7.5 to 8.5. This is an acceptable range for most
plants. Soil test results may be a little higher or lower than
that. This information can help in choosing a more acidic fertilizer
or other options when amending the soil.
• Salt. Some soils are high in salt, which can cause plants
to be stunted, thin and susceptible to other problems. Salt
levels that are too high do not allow the plant’s roots
to absorb water properly. Not correcting the problem can lead
to perennial problems and frustration.
• Phosphorus. Most soils in Utah have sufficient phosphorus,
but occasionally they are slightly deficient. A soil test indicates
how much to apply to supplement plant needs in the landscape.
There are often more soils with excess phosphorus than not enough.
Knowing that levels are high can be beneficial so you can discontinue
applying it to your soil.
• Potassium. This is another element that is normally
abundant in our soils. However, it can become deficient, especially
if the topsoil is removed when a new home is built.
These are the basic components that are addressed by a soil
test. Knowing the amount of these elements in the soil will
not solve all plant problems, but will provide a good place
to start. A basic soil test kit can be picked up at any Extension
office. The kit is free, and the cost of a routine analysis
is $14. It is worth the investment to learn how to solve or
avoid soil problems.
Visit http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/aska/ to see other
Ask A Specialist columns.
Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-0500, 435-760-9302; julener@ext.usu.edu
Feb. 19, 2004
Answer by: Jerry Goodpseed, Utah State University Extension
horticulturist
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 02-18-04
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
EXTENSION, UNPS SPONSOR NATIVE PLANT PROPAGATION WORKSHOP
Utah State University Extension sponsors a native plant propagation
workshop March 6 and 10. The workshop is designed to help gardeners
recognize and obtain plants adapted to the Utah climate. Master
Gardeners will present the workshop for gardening enthusiasts,
and Susan Meyer, Utah Native Plant Society Education Committee
chair, will supply materials and expertise. Gardeners can start
their own native plants from seed provided by the Utah Native
Plant Society. Fourteen plant seeds will be available.
Sessions are Saturday, March 6, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Wednesday,
March 10, at 6 p.m. at Utah State’s Dale and Adele C.
Young Teaching Greenhouse, 1400 N. 800 E.
Participants in the workshop receive a handbook with details
about each plant and general requirements for growing native
plants in the landscape. Master Gardeners will share their experiences
growing the offered plants. Containers with 72 cells, filled
with an appropriate growing media, will be planted during the
workshop.
Cost for the workshop is $15 for Master Gardeners and Utah Native
Plant Society
members, and $20 for nonmembers. Space is limited and preregistration
is required. Contact the Utah State University Cache County
Extension office at 179 N. Main, #111, 752-6263, to preregister.
Feb. 18, 2004
Writer: Julene Reese, 760-9302
Contact: Loralie Cox, 752-6263
THE MONSTER PLAYS
PIANO AT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
LOGAN — Ralph van der Beek asks, “What do you get
when a monster joins more than 200 pianists performing on a
stage filled with pianos?”
Answer — one monster of a concert.
That’s an apt description of Utah State University’s
annual Monster Concert, an event planned and presented by the
Youth Conservatory in the department of music. This year’s
concert is Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Kent Concert
Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center.
Tickets are available at the door. All Utah State University
students with current ID are admitted free, as are all performers.
Tickets for all others are $3 for an individual ticket or $10
for a family ticket.
The theme for this year’s concert is “Monster Goes
to Broadway,” and selections from well known Broadway
musicals are on tap. Audience members will hear thousands of
young fingers work their way through popular hits from “Les
Miserables,” “Cats,” “Phantom of the
Opera,” “The Sound of Music,” “Grease”
and “Oklahoma.”
Performers for the evening are students studying in the Youth
Conservatory at Utah State University. The Youth Conservatory
is directed by van der Beek.
February 18, 2004
Contact: Ralph Van der Beek (435) 797-3033
PUBLIC FORUM ON
PROPOSED SECOND-TIER TUITION INCREASE
LOGAN — Everyone is invited and comments are welcome at
a public forum to discuss a proposed second-tier tuition increase
at Utah State University. The forum will be at noon Friday,
Feb. 20, at the Sunburst Lounge in the Taggart Student Center
on the Logan campus.
Utah State is proposing a second-tier tuition increase of 4
percent for current students, and 6 percent for students enrolling
for the first time in the summer of 2004. The increase in tuition
would provide an estimated $1.8 million to support Utah State’s
academic mission in three critical areas.
The university would devote $200,000 to student initiatives
such as service-learning implementation, supplemental instruction,
an increase in the number of depth courses and an increase in
the number of sections in bottleneck courses. One million would
enhance university libraries. The remaining $600,000 would be
used for salary compensation and to cover fuel and energy deficits
not funded by the Utah legislature.
Feb. 18, 2004
Contact: Juan Franco, 797-1712, Juan.Franco@usu.edu
John DeVilbiss, 797-1358, john.devilbiss@usu.edu
Writer: Matt Cardis, 797-1350, macardis@cc.usu.edu
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