close-up photo of soil after tilling

Knowing the pH and nutrient content of your soil is important to successful growing.

CCE Climate Change and Gardening logo created by CCE Orleans County Master Gardener Volunteer Don O’Keefe Art.

Understand how to adapt your gardens to our changing climate

Soil

Soil is a key ingredient to successful gardening

Soils & Climate


Soils

Soil Texture. This factsheet discusses the four soil texture classifications of sands, silts, loams and clays; how they combine to make textural classifications; how soil texture is determined; and the 5 soil management groups in New York State.

Soil Organic Matter. This factsheet describes types of organic matter in soil; their physical, chemical & biological benefits; farm practices that help maintain or increase soil organic matter levels; and the importance of continued monitoring of soil organic matter content.

The Cornell Soil Health website offers a variety of resources on soil testing and improvement.

Soil Testing. Visit our page on "How to take a soil sample" for testing and see what Soil Testing Services are offered by or through Cooperative Extension. Cornell's Garden Based Learning site also offers information on types of soil tests; suggested tests for lawns, vegetable gardens and fruit crops; testing for contaminants; and healthy soil fact sheets from the Cornell Waste Management Institute.


Climate

Cornell University offers numerous resources about climate change including fact sheets and tools to help you better understand the issues.

Gardening Sustainably in an Uncertain Climate highlights what is known with high certainty about climate change and the many things gardeners can do to lead the way in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Contact

Sandra Linnell
Community Horticulture Program Coordinator
sml334@cornell.edu
(518) 828-3346 ext 106

Last updated May 10, 2021