Soil testing FAQ’s

I am not a professional gardener; why should I be testing my soil?

Taking cues from pros is never a bad idea. A soil sample is affordable, quick, and invaluable if you’re shooting for a good season. Many good-intentioned homeowners profess a great devotion to their lawn or garden, but end up pumping it full of unnecessary chemicals that are at best wasted and at worst hazardous to the environment. A little time and money up front can lead to greener, lusher plant life and a substantial reduction in cost.

How often should I test my soil?

Definitely at least once to know what you’re dealing with. The only way to ascertain whether the soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline is with a soil test. Upon learning the composition of the soil, your decisions on what to grow and how to care for your lawn will be much more educated. Much like carpentry; measure twice and cut once. Before making any major landscape changes, test your soil again to prevent unforeseen problems due to changes in soil composition.

What are my options?

Kits are available at garden stores everywhere. They are affordable, easy to use, and fairly reliable. It is important to follow the instructions closely and use distilled water with soil testing kits. And since you are probably not a geologist, it may be a good idea to corroborate the results with a second test.

If you live in an area with an agricultural university, they probably offer this service for around ten dollars. You can rely on the results to be accurate and thorough. There are also plenty of commercial labs advertised in gardening magazines, stores and on websites.

How do I take a sample?

The instructions will be specified on your test kit or by the testing agency. Overall you want to avoid testing recently treated soils, use sterile equipment, and take your samples from 3 to 6 inches deep. If you have several purposes for your soil, you may want to test separate samples to account for any variances.

What is this going to tell me?

A thorough test will tell you the consistency of your soil, the presence of organic matter, and the pH level. If your soil is loamy, you will treat it differently than a soil with more clay. Specific knowledge of organic matter can glean information on proper treatment plans, as can knowing the pH level. Usually, labs don’t test for everything, so tell them if you want your sample tested for lead or other specific nutrients. A gardening center or lab can then assist you in how to turn the results into a plan to keep your yard healthy.