How to Test for Nitrogen in Soil
Testing for the level of nutrients, such as nitrogen, in your soil is best left to the professionals. Your local cooperative extension office or full-service garden center will test your sample for a small nominal amount or possibly even free. Preparing your sample correctly is paramount to an accurate reading. Soil samples are tested for pH levels (the acidity of the soil), nutrient balance, drainage and other concerns you might have. Tests results can vary from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the service available. Regular testing of your soil will give you an accurate look at the conditions of your garden and the correct amendments needed for your region for optimal growing results. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Call your local cooperative extension office for specific information on how to obtain a soil test. Some offices might indicate you may bring in your sample in a clean container, while others may prefer you come in and pick up a free sterile container and a questionnaire packet to better understand your garden space and your knowledge of gardening. This will help them get an accurate result and give them insight on how to help you make amendments to your space.
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Dig a hole with the spade six to eight inches deep. Try to avoid areas of the garden where decomposing organic matter such as mulch, leaves or dead plant matter may be gathered. The microorganisms that are working to decompose these materials are using up the nitrogen in the soil here at a quicker pace than other sections of the garden, and results may not reflect the space as a whole.
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Cut a section of dirt from the wall of the hole about a half-inch thick and place into the container.
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Repeat steps if you are wanting an accurate test of a larger area. One small backyard plot may only need one test area, whereas multiple areas will need soil from multiple holes.
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Mix all like soil samples in the container. If soil samples have differing colors or consistency, keep separate and label the location of each sample.
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Allow soil to dry before submitting it for testing.
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Tips & Warnings
Nitrogen is what plants need to be green in color and produce chlorophyll, the sugary food plants make to survive. One sure-fire way to know if your soil is nitrogen-depleted is the sight of yellowing leaves and stalks. Using a liquid fertilizer or compost tea should help remedy that.
Know the needs of your particular plants. Tomatoes, for example, need a more nitrogen-deficient soil than most other plants in the garden. Too much nitrogen for your tomatoes leads to huge, gorgeous plants with no fruit to eat.
Manure is an excellent source of nitrogen, but care needs to be had to avoid touching plants with fresh manure. Lay it carefully. Fresh manure should be used before planting and mixed well into soil. The nitrogen level is so high in fresh manure that it will burn plants.
