Soil & Water | Extension | West Virginia University

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Soil & Homesite Guide

Before construction, topsoil should be salvaged and placed in a pile. Once the home is built, the area around the home should be graded and the topsoil replaced on the surface.

Conduct a Soil/Site Review

It is important to know about soil characteristics that make a site suitable for home construction or that may cause problems on an established homesite.

Determine Land Suitability for Building
Soil & Site Factors
Homeowner/Site Buyer Recommendations
Final Comments

Composting for Beginners

Composting is an environmentally-friendly way to add nutrients back to the soil while also reducing the amount of waste generated.

How Compost Works
What to Compost
What NOT to Compost
What to Compost Cautiously
Building a Compost Pile
Compost Maintenance
Compost Problems
Using the Compost

How Phosphorus is Lost from Farmland

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth, but phosphorus runoff from the landscape can affect nearby water sources.

Introduction to Phosphorus Loss

Phosphorus Loss Pathways

Management to Limit P Loss

P-Index

Improve Soil Test Recommendations

If you're submitting a soil sample to grow hay, pasture, corn, barley, wheat, soybeans, oats, small grain silage or grain sorghum, it's important to determine the predominant soil series within your field.

2018 WVU Soil Test Changes
How to Select Your Dominant Soil Series
How Farmers Can Determine the Dominant Soil Series & Field Size
How to Use the Web Soil Survey

Liming Soil

A training to better understand and improve the management of liming to modify soil pH for nutrient management and crop production.

Liming Soil Educational Videos

Liming Soil Resources

A person gets ready to till and turn-over soil.

Low-rate Application of Pelleted Lime

When soil pH is below optimal for a crop and bulk agricultural lime is not available, the use of pelleted lime may be a good option. Use this guide to determine how much pelleted lime is required.

Managing Phosphorus Saturated Soils

Repeated litter applications in West Virginia's eastern panhandle have resulted in an accumulation of phosphorus in agricultural soils, increasing the potential of nutrient losses to waterways.

Introduction to Phosphorus Saturated Soils

Results from Soil Samples

Conclusions for Managing Phosphorus Saturated Soils

Weeds are a constant problem inside and outside of growing structures, because they compete with your crop for light, nutrients and water. (Photo credit: B.E. Liedl)

Salinity Management in High Tunnel Systems

High tunnels are controlled environment structures that accelerate crop growth and protect the crop from environmental extremes. Since most crops are produced in soil within the high tunnel, soil health is very important for sustainable food production.

Introduction to Salinity Management

My Soil Report Indicates an Elevated EC – What Can I Do?

Let's Look at an Example

Conclusion

Resources

A shovel rests on the ground in a dirt trough.

Soil Testing

Assess your soil’s nutrient status with a soil test. WVU offers free soil testing for West Virginia residents and customers.

Fillable WVU Soil Testing Form
Printable WVU Soil Testing Form

How Often to Sample
When to Sample
Where to Sample
How to Sample
How Deep to Sample
How to Complete the WVU Soil Test Submission Form
Reading the Results

Soil Test Nutrient Needs

Soil Testing for Beginning Gardeners

A copy of WVU's Soil Test Form sits on the ground amid plants and containers.

Using the WVU Soil Testing Report

The WVU Soil Testing Lab report is divided into four sections – submission information, laboratory test results, fertilizer recommendations and recommendation notes. Refer to it when ready to amend your soil.

Laboratory Test Results
Fertilizer Recommendations
Recommendation Notes
Modifying Recommendations