Importance of Testing Your Soil

Have you thought about testing your soil or getting it tested? This testing is not as difficult as you might think.

Since most plants have specific soil preferences; for example, azaleas prefer slightly acidic, while others such as geraniums prefer less acid, a PH test can save you money by helping you know which plants will do best in your garden.

Because some adjustments may require a few months to take effect, early spring is one of the best times to test your soil. Samples should be taken when the soil is fairly dry because wet soil can give a false reading.

How To Test Your Soil:

There are two ways you can get your soil tested. You can use a home testing kit or send the sample to be tested.

Home testing kits can usually be found in most garden centers and hardware stores. You can choose the one that tests one thing, such as the PH, or one which test for nutrients and PH. These are usually not expensive and fairly accurate. Click to see a ph and fertilizer analyzer. If you click “soil testing” in the link just above the picture of the fertilizer analyzer, you will see three other types of soil testers.

Some kits are easier to use than others. Some require steps while others involves simply pouring water and mixing soil.

The keys to success are collecting good soil samples and following directions. Make sure you test your soil more than once to double-check your results.

Rather than buying a kit, you can collect soil samples and send them to your local agricultural extension offices who will test your soil’s PH and nutrient levels for a small fee.

Most offices provide a sterile container for your sample and a form to fill out . This form will ask you to provide a little information about your garden, where you live, and the plants you wish to grow.

You should receive a soil analysis approximately two to three weeks after you have sent your samples. This analysis should include suggested changes to your soil and detailed results re your samples. If you choose this option, be sure to take your samples early in the spring. Once you have tested your soil, you will be in a better position to know how to remedy soil deficiencies or buy the plants which best fit your soil.

On the next post, I will explain how you can determine soil drainage and how to take the soil sample. Until then, ….

Happy Gardening!

Marcie

A Gardener s Paradise!
http://www.A1Gardening-LandscapingSupplies.com

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This entry was posted on Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 at 12:06 am and is filed under Testing Your Soil, Backyard Gardening. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.