For Best Gardening Results, Test Your Soil – Ag Matters

The Master Gardeners at Cornell Cooperative Extension have reminded us it's too early to plant the garden.  While we wait for the soil to warm up, we can be getting a better idea on what kind of soil is in our garden.  Nothing may be more important to ensure a spectacular season.

Soil tests are important for both your garden and lawn.  While they can be done anytime, spring is an excellent time .  And the cost is less than $20.

Soil pH is one element you can test. Soil pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of soil; this determines how nutrients in the soil can be absorbed by the plants.  You can buy a soil test kit and do it yourself; or consider Cornell Agro One.

Any soil test requires that you take a soil sample. The sample size should be approximately 1" by 1" by 6" deep for lawns, or 8" deep for all other garden spaces. Take a minimum of 6 samples within a space and mix them together for a representative sample of the whole area. You will need a minimum of 1 pint of soil for a complete analysis.

Once you have your sample, it can be dropped off at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County offices.  Soil pH test results are available on site or you can pick up a complete soil test analysis kit at the office to be mailed to Cornell University’s Agro One.

You can speak directly to one of the master gardeners by calling the hotline Wednesdays or Fridays between 9am and noon, 315-736-3394.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension