Testing Your Soil

A soil test is a simple project that will provide helpful information about your soil.

Launch Gallery

If you ’ve ever marvel , “ Does my territory have problem ” , “ Does my ground need amendment ? ” , or “ How much amendment do I take ? ” , a soil trial run may be an option to consider . uncommitted through local conjunctive extension offices or secret laboratories , you may get a fairly comprehensive and informative examination done fairly cheaply . Soil examination laboratories test the soil ’s pH level and nutrient content . Most vegetables prefer a slenderly acidic grunge , about 6.2 to 7.0 pH.

The nutrient most commonly prove for are atomic number 15 , potassium , calcium , sulfur and magnesium . The research laboratory may or may not admit N as part of their basic test . The reason ? Because the nitrogen content of your grime can change dramatically and cursorily . Each testing lab will have its own type of test , so mark off to see what ’s available to you topically or online .

The two most critical points to remember when doing this are “ cleanliness ” and “ variety ” . You will wanna use clean tools ( without rusting or erosion ) to sample the soil , a blank container to blend it , and clear bagful to put in it . little amount of contaminants can distort the testing results . In addition , you ’ll require to take samples from unlike areas of your garden to get a reading that ’s representative of your total garden area . In my case , since my garden uses bring up bed , it was a affair of have samples from each bed .

What do I need ?

• Spade or shovel ( preferably made of steel )

• Hand trowel

• Plastic bucket

• Quart - size plastic bag(s ) . Thin plastic bag , such as sandwich bags , are good than thick plastic dish . Do not expend brownish theme old bag .

• lasting waterproof mark to label the charge card bags

Procedure :

1 . Clear mulch , leave , plant growth , or other large surface object from the sample smudge .

2 . dig out a hole about as spacious as your nigger , and about 6 - 7″ thick . position the soil aside .

3 . With the spade tip place one inch outside the border of the hole , cut down to remove a piece of one side of the hollow wall .

4 . Keeping that slice on the brand of the spade , utilise the helping hand trowel to cut away the sides of the fade , leaving a center section about 1 - 2 inches broad . This vertical section of the ground is your “ subsample ” .

5 . Place the subsample in the plastic bucket .

observe : If the soil is cockeyed , allow it to air - dry by spreading it out on neat report or charge plate . Do not stir up the soil .

6 . repetition steps 1 - 5 for the other location you want to test a sample distribution for .

7 . shuffle the subsamples in the plastic pail together well using the hand trowel .

8 . Remove about 2 cups ( 1 dry pint ) of the filth mixing and rank it into the formative suitcase . This is the composite sample that you ’ll be sending to the testing lab for analysis . You may want to put this bag into a 2nd bag , just in case of a breaking or release .

9 . Mark the grip with a sample ID number using the lasting marker .

Photo/Illustration: Greg Holdsworth (All photos)

10 . Fill out the appropriate conformation and mail them , along with the soil sample , to the testing lab .

Fine Gardening Recommended product

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening have a commission for items purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising program .

Razor - Back Potato / Refuse Hook

Ho - Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Get our recent tips , how - to clause , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Soil Testing Is Worth the Effort

What Happens at a Soil-Testing Laboratory?

Basics of Soil Testing

Sweet and Sour Soil: Testing Your Soil’s pH Levels

Join ok Gardening for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a notable plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals proficient handler …

When I spotted a especial sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in difficulty . With a delightful colour pattern …

When we only prioritise plant we need over plants our landscape needs , each season is filled with a never - terminate lean of chores : pruning , cabbage , lachrymation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you introduce the backyard of garden architect Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …