It seems that nearly every call I get in my office some days ends with the same initial recommendation; to run a soil test. Why do my boxwoods have spots? My tomatoes didn’t produce for me this year like they have in the past? How much chicken litter should I have spread on my pastures? I don’t intend to sound like a broken record, but multiple times per day I ask if the client has run a soil test. Otherwise, I’m just guessing at why you aren’t getting your desired results.
Proper soil fertility is the foundation for plant health, so soil testing should be a starting point for growing absolutely anything. Vegetables, lawns, flowers, shrubs, trees, wildlife plots, and hayfields all have specific nutritional requirements. Soil pH and nutrient levels vary greatly from site to site, but almost always some amendment is required locally for plants to reach their maximum potential. Don’t risk potentially wasting time and money with unnecessary fertilizer or poor plant performance.
In this article, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions about soil testing through UGA Extension so you can feel comfortable utilizing this service in the future:
When should I test?
If no problems are occurring, I recommend testing your lawns and pastures every three years. If you are harvesting crops from the land such as in a garden or hayfield, you should test annually. You can test any time of year, but I personally like testing in the fall. Most of our soils in the area are very acidic and require lime applications. It can take up to six months to see the full pH adjustment of liming, so sampling in the fall gives me time to prepare soil for spring plantings. If you prefer spring testing, that’s ok also. The important thing is that you test around the same time of year each time to get comparable results.
Do I just bring in a scoop of dirt?
We do offer a recommended procedure for soil sampling to ensure you get the best possible results. Separate samples should be taken for distinct areas like your front yard, back yard, vegetable garden, horse paddock, etc. Your sample should be a representation of the soil in which the plants will be growing in. Use a spade, or soil probe that can be borrowed from the local Extension office, to take 10-12 random probes per area. The probes are thin slices taken to a depth that will contain the plant’s roots. We recommend 4 inches for turf or 6 inches for gardens. Mix all of the probes together in a clean plastic bucket. Remove debris and bring approximately 2 cups of soil from the mix into our office for testing. Repeat this process for each distinct area you wish to test.
How much does it cost?
Our basic soil test is $8 per sample. We can add on supplementary tests for organic matter, carbon, and additional elements as requested. The basic test alone is most often sufficient – an incredible value when compared to potentially hundreds of dollars wasted on improper fertilization.
What information will I get?
The basic soil test through UGA’s lab measures the levels of several essential plant nutrients and recommends proper amounts of lime and fertilizer. Your results will list the soil pH, the level of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. It will also make nitrogen recommendations based on the crop. The results are easy to understand, but our office is always here to help decipher the reports. Give us a call or email if you have more questions about soil testing for you home or farm. 706-743-8341 or shanna.reynolds@uga.edu