Gardening Series: Dig in the Dirt! Soil Preparation: Why Get a Soil Test?

By Robin Sweetser

October 16, 2024

Source: Almanac

Photo Source: Unsplash,

• 4:06

Why Get a Soil Test?

Your soil needs to be able to provide nutrients to plants. Otherwise, your plants won’t grow well. Having the right soil pH (level of acidity) means your plants can take up the necessary nutrients in the soil. If your pH is too high, many nutrients such as phosphorus and iron may become less available; if your soil pH is too low, it can be toxic to plants. Without healthy soil, it is challenging to have a successful garden.

Another reason we test the soil is because we won’t need to rely on fertilizing the soil too much. If you start with healthy soil, you won’t need so much “fixing.” Before you start dumping on the lime and fertilizers, your first step should be taking a soil sample to send off for testing.

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