Similar to people, plants need the proper nutrients to flourish. Unlike people, plants are anchored in place by the very mechanism that takes in nutrients, their roots. In a world without people, plants would be found in their ideal location and part of a fragile cycle will keep those nutrients available as the plant grows. Add people into that equation and the cycle is thrown into disarray by being planted in areas that are typically not always the best environment. Knowing the relationship between soil pH and nutrient uptake can lead to a healthier landscape.
How do the plants take up nutrients?
First, it’s important to give you a short lesson in soil chemistry. When something dies, say a leaf, it falls onto the ground. Various insects, worms, or fungi start to break it down. This is an important part of the cycle as it makes the nutrients that the plant needs. Once it rains and those nutrients are moved by the water and start to travel between the sand particles that we call “Florida soil”. Now think of those grains of sand as weak magnets. As the nutrients pass by, the sand is able to pull nutrients to it’s surface and weakly hold on to them. Then, a root starts growing into the area and, like a straw, and begins to draw in the water. As it draws in the water, the pull is strong enough to dislodge some of the nutrients from the sand. The nutrients travel to various areas needed for growth and to produces leaves. Then the leaves and branches die and fall to the ground. Over time, this organic matter will break down into nutrients and continuing this cycle. As the tree grows up and out the roots also spread further out to uptake the added water and nutrients needed to sustain the growing tree.
And now the Human Element…
Now, lets add the human dimension. Mr. John Doe buys a plot of land to build a house. What is the first thing that needs to happen? The land is cleared of all or most of the vegetation. Next, the land is leveled and more top soil is brought to make the land higher. Gravel is put down or concrete is laid and the house goes up. Then the landscape is designed for aesthetic appeal and not for function. So, a few shrubs and a couple trees are installed along with a lush carpet of grass. Mr. Doe moves in and decides to add an azalea and a citrus tree and a phoenix palm to the landscape. Things go well for a few years as Mr. Doe manicures the landscape an lawn, trims the trees and shrubs, and rakes up all the grass. Then the plants start to decline.
Soil Testing as a Diagnostic Tool
There are many reasons a plant may decline and many show the same symptoms. Three main reasons are nutrient deficiency, lack of water, and planting too deep. For now we will focus on nutrients. Some of the common signs of a nutrient deficiency include yellowing of the leaf edge, yellow leaves with green veins, brown tips, deformed leaves, and red blotching. Mr. Doe could start by adding fertilizer, however submitting soil for testing can help pinpoint the specific problem. A soil pH test is the best place to start as pH plays a significant part in absorbing nutrients and plant health. In an ideal situation Mr. Doe should submit a soil sample for testing before he planted. Plants like azaleas, camellias and blueberries need a lower soil pH than most landscape plants. Since he has already planted, a soil test will give insight as to why the specimens’ health has declined. It will also provide a guide to the types of plants and trees to plant that will flourish in his landscape.
Recommended Landscaping Checklist
- Observe the site several times during the day to see how much sun it gets
- Contact 811 to find your utilities
- Perform a soil test via the UF/IFAS soil testing
lab ($10 per test) - Research intended plant’s needs (pH,
light/shade needs, soil drainage) - Add soil amendments only as directed by the
soil test results - Purchase and plant
For More information:
- Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms of Woody Ornamental Plants in South Florida
- The Importance of Soil Health for Residential Landscapes
- Tools for Evaluating Soil Health
Comments:
April 7, 2022
Thank you, Amy! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with our Putnam County youth.
April 7, 2022
You are amazing and provide these kids, as well as, our community with positive encouragement. Keep being you!
April 6, 2022
Great article about this fun event! I enjoyed working with everyone, and the lunch was outstanding!
February 2, 2022
Hi there Very nice content and blog, I found it very informative and useful, hope to read more nice articles like this one around here, Keep sharing the best content, Best regards! Your follower Salvatore C.
January 7, 2022
Great Class. Learned a lot. Thank you.
December 7, 2021
Well done! Thanks for sharing this important information. I think most people are afraid to cut any roots or disturb the root ball, and fail to evaluate the issues you pointed out.
December 6, 2021
Thanks Julio, Nice Post!
November 29, 2021
Thanks! Trying a variety that is new to me sounds like fun.
November 29, 2021
It was a combination of orange-flesh cultivars that were put in the bags for the contest...we didn't want anyone to have an unfair advantage by only giving one cultivar. If you are interested in seeing all the sweet potato cultivars, we have them in crates at our Extension office...just go by the Putnam County Extension office in East Palatka and ask Kendra to show you...you can grab a couple samples while you are there...enjoy!
November 29, 2021
Hi! Which orange and purple cultivars were made available for the Azalea City/UF-IFAS sweet potato pie content? I picked up a bag of orange with the purple skin. Thanks in advance.
November 10, 2021
Hi Yvonne, I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the purples. Your comment reminded me that I need to add the flyer about our local sweet potato pie contest to the blog...will do right now...we are cohosting a contest with Azalea City Brewery located at 120 S. 7th Street in Palatka. The brewery will be giving out your choice of orange or purple sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving weekend and the contest will be on Friday December 3rd...hope you can participate! Thanks for your encouraging comment... Wendy
November 10, 2021
I really like those purple sweet potatoes. Last year I made "Purple Sweet Potato Pie bars" for Thanksgiving. We all enjoyed them, except my husband- the picky eater. But my toddler grandsons LOVED them and kept asking my daughter for more all week. They were a big hit.
November 2, 2021
Hi, Terrell and Gail, So happy to hear from you - Thank you for your feedback. I will definitely keep you posted and reach out to you directly!
November 2, 2021
If you ever have a seminar on this Gail and I would love to know more!
September 20, 2021
I would be happy to assist you please email me at pjulio@ufl.edu.
September 18, 2021
I can not find a picutre of my plant. I think it's some sort of pencil plant, but not sure. If I take a picture of it, can I email it to you and see if you can help me with it? It's very fast growing and needs very little care. Also wondering if I should stake it up to re-inforce it. I would like to have your e-mail so I can send it to you. Thank you. Judy
September 17, 2021
This pencil plants have done real well in containers in our yard in South Florida.
July 9, 2021
Sure...share it with anyone you'd like...I would also love to contact Palatka Daily News and see if they will do a version of the story!
July 1, 2021
Wendy, These cows are going to be eating eggplant for many years to come . Nice blog Tomas mangia melansana
July 1, 2021
Wendy: absolutely classic! I am very impressed. Let me know if it is okay to share with Putnam County commissioners. Thanks for the props!!
June 27, 2021
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June 16, 2021
Definitely, what a splendid blog and illuminating posts, I surely will bookmark your site.All the Best!
June 15, 2021
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don't know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren't already ;) Cheers!
January 4, 2021
Insightful information for us beginners
November 30, 2020
Wow. Great article. I am so thankful for this info. Trusting that it will help. Will def share it with my audience of 350K followers on Insta.
November 14, 2020
Useful information lot of new thing getting a full of chance and make it easy to understand.
November 3, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing this very informative post. I surely have learned a lot from this article and would love to read more articles like this from you soon.
October 29, 2020
Thanks for sharing useful information. keep sharing.
October 12, 2020
I am first time visiting in this cattle form house but I am very impressed to see its management to give food to the cattle and its cleanliness.
October 6, 2020
Thanks for sharing information. keep sharing
October 4, 2020
I found this blog very useful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for spreading awareness. I really love it. I am following your posts quite often. Keep it up!
September 10, 2020
Nice post! Thanks for sharing this.
August 31, 2020
Thanks for sharing information. keep sharing
August 10, 2020
Yes, I do believe what you are seeing is Sunn Hemp...In the past I did write a blog on Sunn Hemp https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/putnamco/2018/07/31/sunn-hemp-not-industrial-hemp/ But maybe I need to write a new blog and include the pictures of the plant when it is flowering! Thanks for the inspiration!
August 7, 2020
Dear Dr. Mussoline: I've noticed a crop that's new to me as I drive from my home 3 miles east of Picolata off CR 208 via 13a to 13 to 207 and on to St Mark's in Palatka where I'm the priest. The crop sort of looks like an Easter Lilly stalk with yellow flowers on the top. It isn't Sunn Hemp, I don't think. Would you tell me what it is? Blessings, Bob Marsh
April 23, 2020
JULIO, THANK YOU FOR THE BLOG "WHY USE SEEDS". IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO REFRESH OUR MEMORY AND LEARN NEW THINGS. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT BLOG. PHYLLIS
April 13, 2020
I really loved your post. I read your blog quite often and I just shared it on Pinterest. Keep up the good work.
April 9, 2020
Wendy Mussoline you and your team doing really good work for your society and I must thank you and I truly appreciate your work and your effort. once again I want to thank you and enjoy your blog.
April 6, 2020
Hi Michael, The UF/IFAS Putnam County Extension office could normally help you with this, but our offices are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19. At this time, your best bet is to collect your own soil samples and send them to the UF Soils Lab for analyses. They will email you results within a week or so. There is a fee associated with each sample and to determine that fee, you will need to consult the website for the lab to determine what type of soil sample you are submitting. Here is the website https://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/ESTL%20Tests.asp Be sure to send in the form with your samples. If you have further questions, please email me directly at wmussoli@ufl.edu
April 6, 2020
I live in Palatka and would like to get a soil sample analysis. Please tell me how I can do this. Thank you.
November 25, 2019
Hi Imre, We cannot recommend specific companies even if I was familiar with the area. However, you can visit: http://www.treesaregood.org/ and find a local certified arborist in your city. Either stump grinding or hack/squirt methods are effective. If it's a large tree though, you'll be better off stump grinding. Be sure to spray or paint on the herbicide immediately after cutting.
October 27, 2019
Hi, I moved into a house with a beautiful Chinese tallow. I hate to have it taken down, but it spreads like wild fire, the roots are growing under the house, and it is filthy when it sheds. The problem is the cost of removal. I live in Leesburg; do you know of an affordable tree removal service in my area? Also, should I have the stump grinded or just cut and apply herbicide? Thanks, Imre Hocker
September 5, 2019
Excellent explanation, it’s simple & focus. Keep up the great work!
July 4, 2019
Thanks Wendy. We e joyed having the kids there and look forward to participating with u and the kids at any opportunity.
July 4, 2019
i m one of them your regular viewers..its really amazing
May 6, 2019
We attended a Meat Sheep Alliance in Live Oak on 4-27-19 and learned about your work with sweet potatoes as a supplement for grazing/forage. We live in Callahan, FL (Nassau County) and wish to improve our acidic, clay soil (formerly a pine forest) for our 3 4-acre pastures. Should we plant sweet potatoes in our fields to supplement. We have 32 Katahdin sheep and need to do more rotational grazing and better nutrition. We also have 2 horses. We fight intestinal parasites and need better nutrition. We are trying supplements to our Pensacola Bahia and Tifton 9 pastures. Would this help? Thank you, Jon Hall and Leslie Burke 904-945-9535
February 26, 2019
that cute post
February 26, 2019
that nice post
February 8, 2019
Since the camphor tree is not on the Florida noxious weed list, you are not required to remove it. However, many organizations and institutions consider it an invasive species. If having it removed is in your financial budget, sure, have it taken down, but consult a certified arborist first. Sounds like there are several risky factors in your situation that doesn't have an easy, straightforward answer.
January 31, 2019
We recently moved to a new house in Ocoee. The backyard has a fairly large camphor tree. My granddaughter loves to climb in it and, of course, it provides lovely shade in an otherwise barren backyard. However, I've found it on this invasive species list. It's roots have begun to invade and cause damage to our neighbors' sprinkler system and fence. Should this tree come down and something else be placed in our yard? Please give us advise, as there is some dispute about this in our family and we seek facts. Feel free to email regarding your recommendations.
November 12, 2018
Thanks tο my father whօ told me abοut this weblog, this weblog is truly awesome.
October 23, 2018
Great blog, Wendy. It was truly a unique experience. Charles and I were thrilled to be representing First Coast Fresh - thanks to David Dinkins - and to showcase our unique, award winning datil pepper products from St. Augustine, Florida. There are so many wonderful things happening on the First Coast, and I am proud to be a part of it. Angela Bean, Old St. Augustine Gourmet
September 21, 2018
I was very pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!!
September 19, 2018
Hi Edward, The color depends on the variety/cultivar. We normally see red tendrils with vines that produce red grapes, and green tendrils with the rest. In fact, the tendrils are actually aborted flower clusters, which would have otherwise turned into fruits! I have to thank Dr. Sara Spayd from NC State University for assistance with this question. She's an extension viticulturist :)
September 12, 2018
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September 12, 2018
some genuinely interesting information, well written and generally user pleasant.
September 4, 2018
Why are some muscadine tindrels green and others are redish.
June 16, 2018
Please let me know when another program will be offered. If I had known, I would have signed up for the March program, Strong Body Fitness. Thank you
February 14, 2018
Hi Cindy. First, thank you for removing an invasive species!! There is still debate on the allelopathic effects of tallow on native vegetation. One paper noted that the tallow contains chemicals that inhibit growth of other plants, while another disproved it, but the study was specific to cypress trees. I'm happy that your lawn has returned. Maybe it just needed a friend to hang out with ;) Thanks for checking in!
February 14, 2018
I cut the Chinese tallows out of my yard and the next day the lawn started dying. Came back when I installed a live oak. Weird.
February 4, 2018
IFAS regional specialized Extension agent and director of the Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, hosts this event every year to inform growers on the latest research findings for cole crops.
January 27, 2018
I simply want to mention I'm beginner to weblog and seriously loved you're web page. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have remarkable well written articles. Many thanks for sharing your website.
January 4, 2018
Hello Frances, we typically offer a class on vegetable gardening once or twice a year. The horticulture agent and Master Gardeners will be planning their workshops next week. Please check out our county website where upcoming classes will be posted on the calendar (putnam.ifas.ufl.edu), or contact us at 386-329-0318. Thanks
December 26, 2017
Does the Putnam County extension office have classes in annual vegetable gardening?
November 19, 2017
I was very pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new things on your web site.
November 19, 2017
I was very pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new things on your web site.
November 15, 2017
Hello Kim! If you don't mind, please send me a photo (pfletch@ufl.edu) of the caterpillars before I make a recommendation. First step of IPM is identification! Also, have you tested your soil nutrients within the past year? If not, go with a low grade fertilizer similar to 6-4-6. We try to avoid fertilizers with a high phosphorus percentage (the middle number) unless your soil is deficient. Leafy greens also benefit from a side dressing of nitrogen, such as ammonium sulfate. Be sure to apply it very conservatively and just outside of the leaves to avoid burning the plant.
November 14, 2017
Hi Prissy, I am seeing small caterpillars on my collards and kale. What is the best option for spraying on leaves I will be eating soon? Also what fertilizer do I use on my leafy greens? Thank you!
Comments are closed.