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 information and to see what Soil Testing Services are offered by or through Dairy One. If you are planning to stop by the CCE-Livingston office for assistance with your soil sample, it is best to call ahead and confirm that our educator will be in the office.

***For composting information/resources, visit our "Compost Resources" page.

Climate

• Ithaca Climate Page (Northeast Regional Climate Center website) lists normal temperature and precipitation averages, links to daily and monthly climate updates recorded at sites around Ithaca, and more.
• Growing Degree Days (GDD) are a measure of heat accumulation used by horticulturalists to predict the date that a flower will bloom or a crop reach maturity. Statistics for the Northeast are provided on this Cornell Atmospheric Sciences & Turf Team website.
• Visit the Northeast Regional Climate Center website for average last spring frost dates and first fall frost dates.
• Hardiness Zone Changes - See how the hardiness zones have changed over the years.

Last updated March 7, 2023