Soils

Jackson County has extreme variations in soil types. Over 110 different kinds of soil have been sampled from the area. A soil test is essential for determining soil fertility on your rural property.

Soil Basics

Soils are developed over geological time. Climate, water, temperature and parent materials all contribute to soil creation. Parent material can include bedrock, volcanic ash and glacial outwash.

It can take 500 years for natural processes to create one inch of top soil. Soils are also fragile. They are susceptible to erosion when not adequately protected. Without productive soils we would not be able to grow plants which provide us with food, medicine, industrial products and wildlife habitat.

Soils have different textures including silts, sands and clays. The combination of these textures determines the characteristics of your soils. The depth of the soil to bedrock or the water table is often a factor which determines land use. Steepness of slope or position on the landscape can affect soil stability and sustainability.

These characteristics and how they affect the potential of a soil are outlined in a document called a soil survey. The soil survey for Jackson County has been completed and covers the majority of private land. Information is available at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Medford.

The soil survey is being transferred onto a database with up-to-date charts and interpretations. Soils of our area have been mapped using field testing and examination by resource professionals. Soil scientists consult with engineers, foresters, agronomists, range managers and others.

Consulting your soils survey is a great place to start when you want to know the general properties of the soils comprising your land. Soils information and maps are free documentation available upon request from the NRCS and the Jackson SWCD or online at www.nrcs.usda.gov

Soils Testing

Soil testing is a good way to determine the nutrient level of your soils, as well as their acidity and alkalinity. Common nutrient deficiencies in our area include nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Soil testing is available from several laboratories. The Jackson SWCD and OSU Extension office can provide a list of soil testing labs where soil samples can be tested. When results are returned, the Extension staff can help you interpret them.

Irrigation

The type and amount of irrigation required on your land is dependent on many factors, including crop, soil type, acreage and land use. Some crops have higher water requirements than others or need more water at different times of the growing season. Fertile soils generally make more efficient use of water. Lack of water frequency and availability can be a limiting factor for productivity. Contact your Irrigation District or the County Watermaster for more information.

Erosion Control

Soils are precious and without them life as we know it would be impossible. Our country’s topsoils, combined with intensive technological management, are the most productive soils on earth. This has improved our standard of living and made our country thrive in the global economy. Without deep, healthy topsoil we would find ourselves in a wasteland of desert-like conditions. Eroded soils are not able to support desirable plant roots. Without the intricate network of plant roots and life forms below the surface, water and snow would not penetrate and percolate throughout the watershed. Stormwater would flush through the system, removing more soil particles with each storm event. Try planting your garden in subsoil or bedrock!

We can maintain our natural resource base by using sustainable management practices. One simple way to prevent erosion is to simply cover your soil with vegetation. Vegetation will protect the soil from erosion by rain, runoff and wind. It also increases the uptake of water and holds soils in place on slopes and along streams.

Soil Saving Tips

• Keep all soils on your property well covered with vegetation.
• Cover crops, sod-forming grasses, native plants and ground covers are excellent soil protectors. The Jackson SWCD and OSU Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners can help in selecting native plants suited to your property.
• Reseed immediately with weed-free grass seed after any earth disturbing activity. Grade and reshape roads and building sites to direct water to safe outlets and prevent standing water on soils.

Pasture Plants That Protect Soil

These plant species are commonly used by farmers in Jackson County. An improved pasture will consist of a well balanced mixture of grasses and legumes.

Grasses

• Orchardgrass is a highly productive grass suitable for hay or pasture on well drained soils. It is not recommended in combination with tall fescue.
• Tall Fescue is a highly productive grass that grows well in a wide variety of conditions.
• Perennial Ryegrass is a “cool season” grass used in pasture or hay production. It is compatible with a wide variety of soil conditions.

Legumes

• Ladino White Clover is a long-lived highly palatable perennial clover well adapted to irrigated pasture production in southwestern Oregon.
• Birdsfoot Trefoil is a long-lived, deep-rooted legume suitable for hay or pasture in areas with drainage problems. It is very winter-hardy and tolerant of dry summer conditions.
• New Zealand White Clover is a long-lived perennial clover adapted to wet soils and irrigated land. It is not tolerant of acidic soils.

Further Assistance

The NRCS and Jackson SWCD can provide technical help with your soil and water conservation problems. Financial cost share assistance programs may be available to address your local resource concerns relating to soil erosion or poor irrigations water efficiencies. Contact the NRCS for more information. Contact the Jackson SWCD or OSU Extension office for information on soil and agronomic research and soil testing tips. Natural resource educational programs are available through the Jackson SWCD. For further information on available programs go the NRCS website at www.nrcs.usda.gov