Soil (You will be Tested on This…)

Robert Dolezal Extras

Soil condition is of the essence when it comes to
Warnings
growing vegetables – or any plant for that matter.
Many garden experts suggest that you focus on • While many do-it-
maintaining the health of your soil even as you yourself soil tests are
nurture your plants (and there’s lots of scientific
similar, instructions vary
data supporting their position).
according to the specific

kit, so even if you’ve

used at-home tests

before, do be sure to

read and follow all

package directions that

come from your new kit.

Facts
It’s healthy soil that helps your vegetable garden thrive and
• The top 6 inches of soil
prosper.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point contain 80 percent of its

microorganisms.
Healthy soil is composed of many organic, mineral and

even living elements – microbes that digest and break • It may have taken 100
down decaying plant matter into its components, making years or more for
the food that vegetable plants need to thrive and prosper. Mother Nature to

produce each inch of the

The three most common nutrients found in garden soil are
topsoil found in your
nitrogen (n), phosphorus (p) and potassium (k). Nitrogen
garden!
is the only one of the three that’s water-soluble, and it’s
Tips
the one necessary for foliage growth. Too little nitrogen
• In addition to testing
stunts growth, while too much causes lush foliage at the
the amount of nutrients
expense of flowers, fruit and seed.
found in your soil, it’s

also a good idea to

Phosphorus, a common element found in natural
conduct a percolation
abundance in many soils, affects plant vitality and aids
test to evaluate soil
flower, fruit and seed formation. Too much phosphorus
texture and determine
limits a plant’s uptake of copper, iron and zinc, stunting its
how quickly your soil
growth.
drains.

Potassium influences the growth of both stems and roots

by influencing efficient protein and carbohydrate synthesis

inside plant cells.

Your soil needs all three nutrients for your plants – and

garden – to thrive. The amounts of these nutrients found

in your soil depend on the minerals contained in the

bedrock underlying your site.

Macronutrients – as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

are known – are just part of the story. More than 30

micronutrients and dozens of trace elements are found in

most soils as well. Their presence or absence depends

mostly on two factors: the quantity of decomposed organic

material that the soil contains and the maintenance of a

proper acid-alkaline balance to break the ionic bonds of

these compounds and free them for use by your plants.

The best vegetable garden soil is loose, fertile loam with

equal parts mineral clay, silt and sand, mixed with ample

decomposed organic material. (Such soil drains easily and

retains ample air while it avoids compacting.) It has an

acid-alkaline balance measuring 6.0-6.8 on the pH scale, a

reading that’s slightly acidic.

How do you know what kind of soil you have? By testing it

for texture, nutrients and pH. Many nurseries and garden

centers provide testing services to assess soil and

recommend necessary amendments, as well as offer

reliable do-it-yourself test kits. If you enlist the services of

your local Cooperative Extension or a laboratory to analyze

your soil, follow its staff’s instructions on how to properly

collect and submit a soil sample.

To perform a soil test at home, follow these easy steps

shown in the photographs and described in their captions.

Soil Test - Step 1
Dig a hole at the planting site. Using a clean container,
collect a small amount of soil from along the hole’s side, 3-
4 inches below the surface. (For large gardens, thoroughly
mix soil from different locations or evaluate each area
separately.)
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

Soil Test - Step 2

Using part of the moist soil sample, squeeze the soil in
your fist, then open your hand. If the sample feels gritty
and falls apart when poked with a finger, your soil contains
excess sand. If it holds together, roll it between your
forefinger and thumb to produce a cylinder-shaped soil
rope. If it breaks before reaching a ½ inch long, your soil
has ample silt or loam. If the rope of soil reaches 1 inch or
more before breaking, your soil contains excess clay.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Soil Test - Step 3
Using a store-bought home soil test kit (and carefully
following all package instructions), measure relative
amounts of the three soil nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium. Always use distilled water (available at
most supermarkets and drug stores) when testing soil.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

Soil Test - Step 4

Determine your soil’s acid-alkaline balance using a pH test
kit. Again, use distilled water and carefully follow all test
instructions for best results.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
 Page 1 of 1

Next Steps

Courses | View All

• Getting Green

Gardening adds value to your property and is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Let

our Garden Guide walk you through Getting Green so the garden of your dreams becomes

the garden at your home.

Articles

• Don’t Guess, Soil Test

A soil sample analysis is your gardening road map to maximum plant growth. Learn how to

collect and submit a soil sample.

• Percolating Soil (a Test for Good Drainage)

There’s more to healthy soil than having the proper nutrients. Texture and drainage play

important roles in having a thriving garden, too. Learn how to perform an easy percolation

test to check how fast (or slow) your soil drains, as well as how to fix potential problems.

Soil Test - Step 5

• Amendments
Electronic to Your
meters check soilSoil
pH, Constitution
too. If using an electronic
meter, verify its accuracy by first testing cow’s milk, which
Amending your garden soil requires some digging, but it’s a worthwhile (and necessary)
has a pH of 6.5-7.0. Thoroughly clean the probe before
task
testing to ensure
your a healthy garden and harvest. Here are the easy step-by-step instructions to
soil sample.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
incorporating fertilizers and amendments into your soil.

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