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Why to use Lime Here in Connecticut, and in all of New England really, our soil tends to be acidic.  While some plants thrive in acidic soil, grass does not. Grass prefers a soil pH of 5.5-6.5.  Soil pH is measured on a scale of 1-14.  With 1 being extremely acidic and 14 being extremely basic (or alkaline), 7 being neutral.  To get closer to a neutral acidity level, you would need to apply limestone, a calcium-rich mineral.   The amount of lime to apply depends on just how acidic your soil really is and also what kind of soil you...

 Picking the right potato! Let’s back up, what is a seed potato?   Seed potatoes aren’t seeds at all, but actual potatoes that are bred specifically for planting.  There are many varieties of seed potatoes, here are the characteristics of the varieties you’ll find at your local Agriventures Agway.   Early Maturity Chieftain: High yield. Red skin, white flesh.  Widely adaptable to growing conditions. Mid season maturity (65-80 days to maturity) Kennebec; Excellent all-purpose potato. Buff skin & white flesh. High yield.  Round to oblong shape. Store well.  Widely adaptive fast growing, midseason maturity (85-95 days to maturity) Eva: Very similar...

When you look at your pasture what do you see? Some people look at pastures as a place to turn their horse out for exercise while others realize a pasture can be an important part of their total feeding program. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as watching the grass grow and turning your horse out in the field. Proper pasture management has many components spread across all four seasons. IMPORTANCE OF PASTURE A well-kept pasture can provide the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest for your horse. A good pasture alone is sufficient to meet all of...

Guide to Planting Grass Seed  Timing: The best time for seeding a new lawn is in the spring or early fall.  The ground temp needs to be between 50° and 65°, which happens when we get consistent 60-75° daytime temperatures.  Preparing the soil: Rake or till to loosen the soil surface.  Fill any holes with fresh top soil.  For the grass to germinate and survive there must be good seed to soil contact.  The importance of soil pH: In New England, we typically have acidic soil.  The soil pH is important because seedlings struggle and fertilizer loses potency in an...

Raising free range chickens can be a challenge, but it can be well worthwhile for a more robust, healthier, more productive flock. But what makes free range chickens so desirable, and what special needs do they have for their care? What Free Range Means When chickens or other livestock are “free range” they are allowed to roam at will, with free access to outdoor areas and fewer restrictions on their overall movements and habitat. These animals are not restricted to a small coop, barn, or pen, but instead have a much larger, more enriching space to explore. There is a...