Soil is essential for healthy plants, so its chemical makeup and nutrient balance must be monitored regularly.
For many people, soil is just dirt. However, to gardeners and landscapers, soil is the lifeblood of the plants and grasses growing on their property. Since soil is so important to healthy green plants, its chemical makeup and nutrient balance must be monitored regularly to ensure it is healthy and adequately supports plant life. You should test your soil every 3-5 years, and there are a few different methods to get the results you need to ensure your soil stays balanced and healthy. Keep reading for some tips on testing your soil.
Soil Test Kit
You can purchase home soil test kits at many garden centers and hardware stores if you’re looking for fast results. These all you to do the test at home and receive almost instant results, though they won’t be as specific, and you’ll have to research how to correct any issues detected by the test. Sometimes convenience is important, and the test will give you a solid overview of where your soil is lacking so that you can improve its nutrient balance.
Professional Analysis
If you’re looking for extremely precise results, the best option for soil testing is to send a sample to your local county extension office. This is most often free of charge or has a very low cost associated with it, but it can take a few weeks to get the results back. However, the time will be worth it as a professional analysis will have precise readings on the soil’s nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium levels, along with detailed instructions on how to correct any issues found within these levels. It’s an excellent resource for anyone hoping to pinpoint specific issues and deal with them directly instead of utilizing blanket solutions that won’t achieve the perfect balance of soil nutrients.
Earthworm Test
An earthworm test is quick and works well for a generalized idea of how well your soil is doing. To do this, take your garden trowel and dig up around one cubic foot of soil from your lawn or garden. Spread the soil out on a flat surface and check for earthworms. Your soil is considered fairly healthy if you count at least ten earthworms. If there are less than ten earthworms, your soil is lacking in some way and requires adjustments to reach a healthier state.
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