Strategies for Managing Soil Fertility and Health in Organic Orchards - A Fact Sheet

Introduction Soils in the Intermountain West are typically shallow, calcareous and are low in native organic matter. Low organic matter translates to less nutrient reserves for plants. Calcareous soils have a relatively high pH that can lead to trace element deficiencies. Some Utah soils have a high salt content that can be toxic to plants. These potential constraints require the organic fruit grower to pay particular attention to soil health and fertility. Utah State University faculty at the Utah State Horticultural Research Farm in Kaysville have been conducting research on transitioning to organic management and in improving orchard soil health. A primary focus of this research is to provide growers with locally adapted advice and solutions for managing soil fertility in certified organic stonefruits.