Conservation in your Own Backyard
Protecting the natural resources on agricultural acres to the urban landscape is vital to health of plants, wildlife, and people. Farmers and ranchers have been using conservation practices successfully for decades to improve and protect resources. Such practices are adapted to be used by homeowners in their own backyard or within the community.
Most backyard conservation practices are easy to put into practice. Instructions and information for installing rain barrels, mulching plants, composting yard waste, nutrient management, establishing native plants, removing invasive plants, etc., is readily available through local garden, garden clubs, or the Wood Soil and Water Conservation district.
Look for workshops, outreach programs, and clinics throughout the year to help you get started or to maintain and improve the good things you already have established.
Healthy Soil + Clean Water = Healthy World
Most backyard conservation practices are easy to put into practice. Instructions and information for installing rain barrels, mulching plants, composting yard waste, nutrient management, establishing native plants, removing invasive plants, etc., is readily available through local garden, garden clubs, or the Wood Soil and Water Conservation district.
Look for workshops, outreach programs, and clinics throughout the year to help you get started or to maintain and improve the good things you already have established.
Healthy Soil + Clean Water = Healthy World
Soil Testing
A few options are available for garden and lawn soil testing. A lawn and garden soil test kit is available through Michigan State. The kit contains the necessary items and instructions for a soil test. The kit asks that you specify what are planning on growing in that test area and then will email the results with recommended amendments if necessary. Each kit is $25. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/soil_test_kit_self-mailer
Local co-ops such as Luckey Farmers, Sunrise, Legacy, and Mid-Wood, offer soil testing. The cost is dependent on what you'd like tested. Typically for gardens, the test is for pH, N, P, and K. The results will be sent to you; however, they will need to be translated to simplify the results and understand what amendments need made. The results from that soil test can be entered on the Michigan State website and translated.
Also, garden centers, Walmart, Meijer, and a few co-ops will offer a small test kit for about $5. This test may not be as accurate, but it is less costly.
Local co-ops such as Luckey Farmers, Sunrise, Legacy, and Mid-Wood, offer soil testing. The cost is dependent on what you'd like tested. Typically for gardens, the test is for pH, N, P, and K. The results will be sent to you; however, they will need to be translated to simplify the results and understand what amendments need made. The results from that soil test can be entered on the Michigan State website and translated.
Also, garden centers, Walmart, Meijer, and a few co-ops will offer a small test kit for about $5. This test may not be as accurate, but it is less costly.
Water and Sewage for Rural Homeowners
For homeowners who live an a rural area where public water and sewer are not available, the Wood County Health District will provide you with information on well water installation and permitting as well as septic system regulations and installations. Contact the Wood County Health District Environmental Health Division at 419-354-2702.
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PondsPonds can be an aesthetic, functional, and recreational addition to a rural property. Careful planning, proper construction, and regular maintenance will ensure a quality pond for years to come.
Contact local pond excavators for design and construction estimates. Consult your township trustees for zoning requirements in your township. www.woodcountytownships.com/ |
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OSU Extension- Wood County
Craig Everett 419-354-9050 Fender’s Fish Hatchery 50527 TR 220 Baltic, OH 43804 740-622-0681 www.fendersfishhatchery.com CWS 1394 Bellard Dr. Bowling Green, OH 43402 419-352-6870 Fax: 419-352-7145 www.clnwtr.com Aqua Doc John Wilson, Jr. 10779 Mayfield Rd Chardon, OH 44024 1-800-689-5253 Fax: 440-286-1300 www.aquadocinc.com Remlinger Fish Farm Bruce Remlinger PO Box 346 18740 US 224 Kalida, OH 45853 419-532-2335 Fax: 419-532-2317 remlingerfishfarm.com |
The Pond Doctor
Bill Cody 419-256-7433 billcod6@metalink.net www.pondboss.com Inspired By Nature, Inc. Don Schooner 14890 Otsego Pike Weston, OH 43569 419-669-4084 www.ibnature.com Fin Farm 20543 Township Rd X Ridgeville Corners, OH 43555 419-267-3612 Bob:info@finfarm.com Ann:info@finfarm.com Marlow’s Fisheries & Pond Management 6340 SR 555 Little Hocking, OH 45742 740-989-5812 or 740-989-2301 www.marlowsfishingpark.com |
Affordable Well & Pond Service
Steve Naus Fostoria, OH www.wellandpond.com 419-701-7133 Jones Fish Hatcheries & Distributors, Inc. 3433 Church St Newtown, OH 45244 800-662-3474 www.jonesfish.com |
