Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County Offers Discount Salt Testing for Soil and Water

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural and Resource Management Agent is pleased to announce a discount is available from now through the end of February for any land owner in Cape May County who would like their water or soil tested for salt. Discounted salt testing for garden and farm water and soil, plus recommendations for treatment, are being offered to assist county land owners after the recent storm. The cost is reduced to $2 from now through Feb. 29, 2016.
Jenny Carleo, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County said, “I am willing to subsidize the cost of testing soil and water for salt contamination to help our community recover from these devastating floods.” The County office has the equipment to test for salt and pH levels, not other contaminants. High concentrations of salt in garden and farm soil and water are detrimental to plants and can kill lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and fruits and vegetables. If you’ve experienced flooding be sure to test for salt before you plant anything in spring. Also, the pH level directly impacts the ability of plants to receive the nutrients they need from the soil.
The soil and pH level testing is available throughout the year for $5 per sample. Please drop off samples in clean glass or plastic bottles or jars at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, 355 Court House-South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. For instructions on how to properly collect your soil, please call (609) 465-5115 ext. 607.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County helps both youth and adults improve their knowledge and skills, enhance their quality of life and resolve problems in areas of food, nutrition, health and wellness; food safety; agriculture; environmental and natural resource management; and youth development. This is accomplished through the use of science-based knowledge and university research. Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an education organization within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.