Moving to a new state can be a daunting task in just acquainting yourself with new neighbors, community dynamics and general life changes; however when you are a serious gardener and those changes include climate, planting dates and most importantly the soil type it can create an even bigger challenge. This is exactly the situation a Crittenden County landowner found themselves in when they sought help out from Crittenden County Extension ANR agent Dee Heimgartner.   

The new client came into Heimgartner's office with questions about soil sampling and how to grow vegetables in the soil that is very hard and clay based compared to the ground she was used to in the state she previously lived in. They started with soil samples to amend the soil with proper nutrients and especially changed the pH of the soil with lime. The grower has noticed a dramatic improvement in her garden growth since making the recommended changes.  

The grower wanted to expand her current garden to be able to sell produce on a small scale. Heimgartner worked with the client to develop a growing and marketing  plan that wouldn't overwhelm the producer for the first couple of years. The grower also has utilized Cooperative Extension information to develop a five year plan to grow into high tunnel production and further increase her vegetable production to a larger scale on a level that she is comfortable with.