Soil & nutrition
Soil and leaf testing
Why testing beats guessing, and how to take a good sample.
Relevant stages: Delayed Dormancy.
A lab test tells you what your soil holds and what your trees are actually taking up.
Soil sample
- Take small samples from several spots in each block, from the root zone depth.
- Mix them, remove stones and roots, and send a portion to the lab.
- Keep different blocks separate.
Leaf sample
- Take mature leaves from mid-shoot at a set time each season, so results can be compared year to year.
Use the result
Adjust fertilizer to what is really needed. This saves money and avoids over-feeding.
General guidance. Always read product labels and consult an agronomist for problems specific to your orchard.
