Soil Testing
Benefits of Soil Testing
- To determine which elements are missing or are in excess in the soil
- To determine the type and quantity of fertilizers and other amendments needed to repair the soil, saving time and money on trial and error
- To avoid adding amendments that may do more harm than good
- To speed up the transition to organic land care practices
- The same area can be retested next season or a couple of seasons following to see how the amendment program is progressing
A Soil Test is the only way to know for sure what nutrients your soil is either lacking or has too much of. Samples of soil are taken randomly from the specific area in question, about 400-500 ml, and then sent off to a laboratory for testing. The results are returned within two to four weeks and recommendations for soil amendments are based on the results of the analysis. That being said, improving the fertility of your soil can be done without a soil mineral or ph test.
Before you send a soil sample off the lab to be tested there are a few simple observations you can make. Is there life in the soil? A healthy soil is loaded with biodiversity, some that you can see and some that you cannot, like worms, bacteria and microbes. Has this lawn depended on chemicals and which ones? Soils that have been managed with chemicals or a new site with unknown soil may need the help of fertilizers and other soil amendments while transitioning to organic, and it can take a few years for the desired results while the soil regains life. Life needs water…is there sufficient moisture in the soil? Even a low maintenance landscape requires water; low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance.
If you manage your soil like the unique ecosystem that it is, there is little or no need for ongoing testing, fertilizing and soil amending. There is much more in depth information on soil and soil testing at www.soilfoodweb.com.
Contact Us Today for more information on our Soil Testing Service for your lawn and garden, and for a Free Price Quote.
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