Saturday, September 06, 2008

How to Collect a Soil Sample

Testing the soil in your herb and vegetable gardens will up your chances of efficiency and production.
A basic soil test will measure the phosphorus(P), potassium(K), and organic matter in the soil.
Additional nutrients and micro nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, sulphur, zinc, and iron, also can be measured.

Soil testing also identifies the soil's relative acidity or alkalinity, called soil pH. The pH level is important because it determines the availability of soil nutrients.

Your local county extension office can help you with most soil testing needs; Such as, how to take a soil test, containers to ship them to a lab for testing, and the proper lab to choose.

With all the time, effort, and expense it takes to plant and grow a productive crop, it just makes sense to make your soil the best it can be.

Soil testing can be done anytime of the year. I like doing it in the fall and early winter when the gardens are somewhat dormant.

Happy Autumn~

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