When you are trying to plant fruits and vegetables in your garden, it's not enough to just put them in the ground and water them. Sure, in many cases your plants will grow just fine. But you might find that your plants are withering or their growth is stunted. If this is the case, then you're going to need to buy a soil test kit and use it to determine what you need to do to save your soil. more »

When you are trying to plant fruits and vegetables in your garden, it's not enough to just put them in the ground and water them. Sure, in many cases your plants will grow just fine. But you might find that your plants are withering or their growth is stunted. If this is the case, then you're going to need to buy a soil test kit and use it to determine what you need to do to save your soil. more »

There are currently many ways to perform soil tests. Small soil test kits can be purchased from home improvement stores beginning in the early spring and throughout the summer months. Soil samples can also be tested through private laboratories. Private labs may sell soil test kits that consist of a small plastic baggie and a postage-paid envelope. The soil sample is prepared and mailed to the lab and the test results are mailed back to you within a few weeks. Soil tests can also be performed through your local county extension office. more »

Soil test kits are not typically very complex. The prices of the kits range from about $5 to $35 and, for the most part, they are simply used to test the pH level of your soil. However, with a few basic tools and a little bit of know-how, you can conduct your own soil tests whenever you like using only household materials. The advantage of this is that you can do as many tests as you like all around the yard, giving you a much bigger perspective on the soil's condition. more »

It is essential that you understand what type of soil you have in you garden and its level of fertility before you can take steps to improve it. Several simple soil testing kits are available. All soils are made up of the same basic ingredients: clay, silt, and sand. You just need to identify the proportions of these that determine the type of soil you have. more »

A balanced schedule of fertilizer is essential to a plant's overall health. If too much is applied, it will burn plants. If too little is applied, the plant will suffer deficiencies that will cause foliage to turn yellow or brown. There are several methods for applying different types of fertilizer. A soil test can find out your soil type and its deficiencies, helping you decide what type of fertilizer to use. You can purchase a soil testing kit at any garden center. more »

Soil pH tests provide essential information to gardeners about the overall condition of their soil. When a test is conducted through the County Extension office, gardeners receive not only a pH readout but also a mineral content reading and advice on what minerals will be useful in balancing the soil. While soil test kits are available at garden stores, they are not considered as reliable, nor do they account for local growing conditions. more »

Soil pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The soil pH affects the availability of the nutrients to the plants and the activity of the microorganisms in the soil. Key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are readily available at a pH range of approximately six to seven. Soil test kits are available from nurseries and the nursery departments in home improvement store. more »

In order to grow a great vegetable or flower garden, your soil needs to provide the plants the optimal level of nutrition. You can diagnose soil deficiencies with a soil testing kit, which will tell you what to add by way of fertilizers or amendments for the best growing conditions in your gardens. You should test your soil at least two weeks before you plant your garden so you can give your new plants a good start. more »