Late Fall and early Spring are the best times to test soil. It gives you time to adjust the soil in your garden before planting season. Here are some tips on testing your soil and preparing your Garden.
1. Do a garden pH test — A pH test and determines how acid/alkaline your soil is. Then pick plants that will survive and thrive in your soil conditions.
2. Determine what key elements are missing from your soil. Use Organic gardening products like Great Big Plants to add key ingredients back to the soil of your garden.
3. Monitor nutrients — Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous are needed for plant growth, color and blooming.
Soil test kits are available at many garden centers. The kits allow you to get an analysis of your soil’s pH.
A local agricultural extension office will test your soil sample for pH and nutrient levels if you want more information. They usually provide you with a sterile container for your soil sample and a form to answer questions about your garden, where you live and the plants you want to grow. They test the soil and the soil analysis usually takes a few weeks to get back to you. The soil analysis includes detailed results.
How to test the soil in your garden.
1. Clean the tools you are using to collect the garden soil sample.
2. In the planting area, dig 5 holes 6? – 8? deep.
3. Scrap a 1/2? slice along the side of a hole and put it in a clean container. Repeat this process for all holes.
4. Collect soil samples from different areas that will be growing similar plants.
5. Mix the soil samples in the bucket. Spread the soil mixture on a newspaper to dry out. Collect a pint for your sample.
Wet soil can sometimes give a false soil test reading. Take the sample when the soil is fairly dry. You may want to check your soil more than once to verify your results.
Here is more in depth research on Soil Test Results using organic liquid compost.
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08 Oct 2008 The Organic Gardener
