A Basic Guide to Testing Your Soil

The first step to a bountiful and beautiful garden is making sure your soil is healthy. Determining the quality of your soil is both essential and easy.

Testing the soil will provide you with a better guide to selecting the right plants. Most plants have specific soil preferences. Some, such as Azaleas, prefer slightly acidic soil, while other, such as Geraniums, prefers less acidity. A pH test, which measures soil acidity, can save you money by helping you determine which plants will do best in your garden.

The test results provide information for changes to remedy soil problems. They can also explain why some plants are not doing so well.

Soil testing can assist you in monitoring nutrients. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are essential to a plant's growth, color and blooming. A lack of any one can affect the health of your plants.

The best time to test your soil is in late autumn or early spring. This will give you time to make adjustments before you plant your garden, since some soil corrections need a few months to take effect.

There are weather conditions under which you should not test your soil. After a severe storm, the ground may be waterlogged and soil tests are likely to give incorrect results. The soil structure can also be damaged if soil is handled when waterlogged. Wait until the soil is fairly dry or lightly moist before digging and taking your sample.

Most garden centers and hardware stores carry a wide selection of home testing kits. Some test for just one thing, such as pH, while others test for nutrients and pH. The kits are relatively inexpensive and accurate.

Kits vary in their ease of use. Some require several steps, while others involve 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.

Local agricultural or horticultural colleges can usually test your soil's pH and nutrient levels for a small fee. Most will provide a sterile container for you sample, and a form to fill out about your garden, where you live, and the plants you wish to grow.