One of the best deals for gardeners is a soil test. I personally like to test and amend my soils, if necessary, 4 months prior to the planting season.
Laboratories test the soil's pH level, nutrient content and percentage of organic matter. Most garden vegetables and flowers prefer a slightly acidic soil, about 6.2 to 7.0 pH. This is the range where nutrients are most available for uptake by plants' roots.
In most areas, you can get a fairly comprehensive and informative test done for $5 to $10, that is less than you'd spend for a bag of fertilizer. And that soil test may tell you that you don't even need that fertilizer.
Soil testing is available through local cooperative extension offices. Get your soil tested as close to home as possible so that the recommendations you receive make sense for your climate and soil.
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Wish everybody a bountiful new year!
Laboratories test the soil's pH level, nutrient content and percentage of organic matter. Most garden vegetables and flowers prefer a slightly acidic soil, about 6.2 to 7.0 pH. This is the range where nutrients are most available for uptake by plants' roots.
In most areas, you can get a fairly comprehensive and informative test done for $5 to $10, that is less than you'd spend for a bag of fertilizer. And that soil test may tell you that you don't even need that fertilizer.
Soil testing is available through local cooperative extension offices. Get your soil tested as close to home as possible so that the recommendations you receive make sense for your climate and soil.
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Wish everybody a bountiful new year!
