If you are a new gardener who has never done a soil test, you may think that soil testing is not very important. Maybe you never really thought about it because your seeds always germinate in spite of a lack of testing. It is true that most seeds will germinate if they are fresh, and receive enough water and sunlight. However, add the proper amendments and your garden can produce more quantity, have higher quality and be stronger and more vigorous to overcome disease and drought conditions. Without a soil test, you do not know if you really need that fertilizer or lime you are adding to your garden. You may be wasting a lot of money on amendments you do not need or you may be building unfavorable conditions in your garden.
Our soil in Georgia is nutrient rich but the pH or acidity or alkalinity frequently needs adjusting so that plants can utilize the nutrients present in the soil. Other nutrients may also be needed. The soil test gives you all the nutrients you need to enhance your soil for best soil productivity.
Soil conditions also affect the microbes (the tiny organisms that help break down organic materials in the soil). This helps with water absorption, soil fertility and aeration. Our clay soil benefits from digging and loosening the soil and adding compost or organic matter for the health of these microbes in the vegetable garden. This also promotes maximum root development, though compost does not add many nutrients.
The Master Gardener Extension Volunteers or Paulding County’s Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mary Carol Sheffield can help you understand the results of your soil test.
To do the test, take 8-10 small samples (a trowel works well for this) from several areas within the area you want tested, mix dry loose samples together. You can air-dry your soil if it is wet. Bring 2 cups of this mixture to the Extension office with $9.00. We will bag it and send it to University of Georgia Soil Testing lab for analysis. Be sure to note what you plan to grow-for example, vegetable garden, flowers, or turf type.
This will be the best investment you can make for a healthy and productive garden and it is so simple. Happy gardening!
The author of this article, Donna Phillips, is a Paulding UGA Extension Master Gardener. Master Gardeners are trained to provide education for homeowners on horticulture, sustainable landscaping, and environmentally friendly gardening practices using unbiased, research-based information from the University of Georgia.
