Soil TestingSoil testing is important so that we know what nutrients are in our soil. In testing our garden we are looking for four main things. These are the pH balance, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For the specifics of each of these go to the section on Nutrients. We can check the soil in three ways. One is with using powdered chemicals. These are generally referred to as soil test kits. In the picture below, my son, Matthew, is holding a test kit in his right hand.
The video below is about using the electronic tester for soil testing.
A third way is to have your soil sent off to a lab to be tested. However, this tends to be expensive and you really do not know if it is your soil you are getting test results back for. Sometimes your county extension agent may be able to help with testing. And in some cases, there may be a nearby college which has an agriculture program who would like to test your soil. But I prefer to do it myself.
The pH balance is the difference between the acid and alkaline level found in the soil. Generally we are looking for this to be around 7.0 but no lower than 5.0. Different plants like the soil to be at different levels. Currently, my soil is all around 7.5. It is higher than I want it to be, but I think I will be okay. Only time will tell. For the items I am growing, the pH balance is as follows: Strawberry: 5.0-7.0 Green Bean: 6.0-7.5 Beet: 6.0-7.5 Broccoli: 6.0-7.0 Carrot: 5.5-7.0 Cauliflower: 5.5-7.5 Cucumber: 5.5-7.0 Lettuce: 6.0-7.0 Onion: 6.0-7.0 Pepper: 5.5-7.0 Squash: 6.0-7.5 Tomato: 5.5-7.5 Sunflowers since we are growing some of these so our pole beans can grow up them: 6.0-7.5 To raise the pH balance, or make it sweet, to make more acidity we would need to add lime or wood ashes. Lime is probably the best way to go. You would need to get with your local nursery expert to determine how much you need. We are looking for a number around 7.0. This is considered neutral since pH range is from 1 to 14. Too much will cause it to become too sweet or alkaline. To lower the alkaline level we would need to add organic matter or sulfur. Once again, get with your local nursery expert to find out how much you would need. This adjustment is best made in the fall. Just to make this easy--we do not want our soil over 7.5. If it is, we need to add sulfur if we need quick action or organic material if we have a few months before we plant to bring it down to 7.5. If it is below 5.0 then we need to add limestone to bring it back up to 7.5. If the nitrogen level is too low, then we can add green manure to our garden to help with the nitrogen level. Green manure is the leftover plants that have had their fruits harvested and are no longer producing. This can be taken and tilled back into the soil to improve the nitrogen level. You can also add blood meal or fish emulsion. These can be purchased at your local nursery. Follow the instructions exactly because you can get too much nitrogen if you don't. Too much nitrogen will give you great looking plants but no flowers or fruits. The only way to fix this is time. Time for the plants to use up what is there. That is why it is important to keep a close eye on it so we do not get too much nitrogen. The next item is phosphorus. If our garden seems to be growing slowly then the problem may be a lack of phosphorus. The best way to bring up your phosphorus level is to add rock phosphate. This will help the plants get back on the right track. But before you go out and put some on the garden, get with your local nursery expert for advice. The last main nutrient is potassium. If the plants look weak then chances are it is a phosphorus deficiency. Phosphorus is the railroad in the plant carrying nutrients here and there, making sure that all of the plants' processes, like photosynthesis, are functioning correctly. A plant with a potassium deficiency may still have lush, green leaves. It may still produce the fruit. But it is sick and not functioning like it should. To help correct this we need to add wood ashes, green sand or granite dust. Once again, get with your local nursery expert to determine how much you need to apply. They will need your soil testing results.
Another way to help with the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus levels is to use fertilizers. I use Miracle Gro. It will help with everything but the pH balance. There are others available depending on what your soil testing tells you. If your garden is low on nitrogen then Miracle Gro is great for this. If it is low on potassium, but high on nitrogen, then you will need to find a fertilizer that is low on nitrogen and high with potassium. Use it exactly as the manufacturer states. You can overdo it. Too much will "burn" your plants to death. I use to wait until the plants were several inches high to put on Miracle Grow. But according to Miracle Grow it can be put on at planting time. I have been doing this and so far so good.
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