Feature
Soil Data
Soil testing is often the first place growers look for direction in the spring, and it plays a very important role. However, test results do not operate on an independent plane parallel to field history, recent weather or physical soil condition.
In early spring, nutrient availability is often constrained by temperature, moisture and biological activity rather than the total nutrient supply. Acting on lab data without this context frequently leads to applying inputs before plants can access them and efficiently use them.
In intensively managed market garden systems, past management matters deeply. Beds that carried heavy feeding crops the previous season, experienced harvest traffic or lost surface residue behave very differently from beds that rested or were protected.
Soil tests help identify long-term trends and potential limitations, but they do not override what is happening in the field. I have found far more value in using soil data to inform priorities rather than dictate immediate action.
Soil Biology
In healthy soils, biology is the quiet engine that turns nutrients into forms plants can use. Early in the season, that engine is still warming up, and heavy applications often remain unused or move in unintended ways.
Compost
On our farm, we’ ve found that composted livestock manure applied in the fall supports soil biology and improves structure, creating a strong foundation for healthy early-season growth the following spring. Properly composted and handled, these amendments give microbes a head start without compromising food safety.
All growers need to follow recommended timelines and safe handling practices when using manure to reduce risk.
Supporting biology also means minimizing disturbance, preserving surface residue and timing amendments to the natural rhythm of the soil rather than the calendar. We’ ve learned that nurturing the biological system early pays off far more consistently than front-loading fertility into soils that aren’ t ready to process it.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen management illustrates this principle clearly. Nitrogen often attracts early attention because slow early growth feels alarming, particularly when transplants or direct-seeded crops fall behind expectations. Early nitrogen applications can feel productive, but in many cases, they do not translate into stronger early growth. Loss pathways remain active, and plant uptake remains limited until roots and biological systems are established.
Market gardeners have a significant advantage here. Smaller acreage allows for close monitoring and responsive decisionmaking. Instead of committing early, flexibility allows nitrogen decisions to follow crop development rather than precede it. As crops establish and soils become more biologically active, adjustments can be made with greater confidence that nutrients will be used efficiently. Treating nitrogen as a seasonlong management decision rather than an early obligation has reduced waste and improved consistency on our farm.
Planting Spring 2026 | www. FarmersHotLine. com | 9