||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
Zylstra Lake Preserve will be closed to public access Saturday, September 24 and possibly Sunday, September 25 for agricultural lime application.
To maintain and support long-term soil health and productivity on our public farmlands, your Conservation Land Bank, in partnership with farm lessees, will apply agricultural lime (all natural/organic pulverized limestone) to several pastures and hay lands this Fall, including Zylstra Lake Preserve, Frazer Homestead Preserve, and possibly others. This practice has been recommended by our local Conservation District and WSU Extension and supported by soil test results.
In general, Western Washington soils are naturally acidic (low pH). Applying lime at a recommended rate based on soil tests will help keep pH from declining over time, as well as support long-term productivity of the forage by helping maintain nutrient availability and encourage biological activity. Lime is slow to have an impact – applying it in the fall allows the lime to work its way into the soil with winter rains prior to new spring growth with benefits lasting for many years.
Here are some fantastic resources if you would like to learn more.
This extension publication is a great resource for recommended fertilizer and lime rates in western Washington: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9224.pdf
Article from Snohomish Conservation District: https://snohomishcd.org/blog/2015/9/16/fall-is-a-great-time-to-lime
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