Soil Test For an accurate test collect soil 6-8 inches deep in 6 or more areas.

Place samples in a clean bucket and mix together thoroughly. Take 2 cups of the soil to the Clemson Extension office on Wednesday Morning from 9:30-12:00.

(The extension office is located in the Beaufort County building across from the First Presbyterian Church on William Hilton Parkway, Rt. 278).

You will receive written results of your sample and will know how to treat you soil for planting. The cost of a soil test is $6.00. They do not like to take cash so please be prepared to write them a check.

Soil Amendment Our soil is mostly sand and will not retain moisture or nutrients, therefore we need to amend the soil. Commonly available sources of organic matter include compost, manures, shredded leafs, sawdust, and cover crops.

Refer to the Planting Chart (attached) for a planting schedule. Watering Let’s do our part to conserve water! The use of drip or trickle systems will work better than overhead watering. With soaker hoses the water goes directly on the root. The farm area is open so if the wind is blowing the overhead watering sprays everywhere and is inefficient.

Watering with an overhead source may increase disease problems. Watering in the early morning may decrease or reduce the chances of disease outbreak. Hand watering is also good but it takes time to water properly. If you are hand watering, make sure you are watering enough to soak to the roots.

Rule of thumb for watering your garden is 1 inch 3 times a week. A good test to check the amount of water getting to your plants is to take several small cans (tuna fish cans work great), place in the garden and after your water runs measure the amount of water in the can.