Testing your soil

Listen to this radio story on soil testing (MP3 download)

To keep your plants healthy, you'll want to test your soil every two to three years. You can purchase a home testing kit from a garden center or contact your local extension office to submit a soil sample for lab analysis. Typically, a soil test measures levels of potassium, phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium as well as the soil pH, cation exchange capacity, lime requirement index, and base saturation. If you wish, you may request additional testing to measure levels of iron, zinc, manganese nitrates, and soluble salt. It is recommended that soil testing be performed in the fall or spring for established sites.

Radio Interview Source: Paul Miller, soil conservationist, NRCS

For additional information, we recommend the following helpful resources:

Soil Testing is an Excellent Investment: Answers to common questions about soil testing.

Backyard Nutrient Management: Discover how soil testing can be used as a tool to improve the health of your plants.

Soil Testing for Home Lawns, Gardens, and Wildlife Food Plots: Learn how to collect a soil sample and when to test for the most accurate results.