| If you are looking to make the most out of your | | | | or plant your garden. This ensures that you'll have |
| gardens or crops, it is important to know about the | | | | enough time to get your results and make changes |
| environmental factors that surround your plants. The | | | | to alter any imbalances by adding fertilizers, lime or |
| most important part of your plants' environment is | | | | compost. The soil takes time to react with the |
| the earth in which they are planted. Soil testing is | | | | chemicals, so retesting after applying the necessary |
| perhaps the most important factor that determines | | | | treatments is often a good idea to obtain optimal |
| whether or not your plants will thrive or struggle. | | | | plant development. |
| What is the best way to determine the quality of | | | | Many people wonder why nitrogen levels aren't |
| your soil? Before you plant next year's crops, plants | | | | usually included in a soil testing lab's report. This is |
| or even the sod in your front yard, take several | | | | because of the transitory nature of nitrogen. While it |
| samples of the dirt in which you plan to plant. Send | | | | is an absolutely essential chemical when it comes to |
| the samples to a soil testing lab to determine its | | | | plant growth and development, it does not stay in |
| composition. | | | | one place for very long. Water from either natural |
| Analysis determines pH level, which is one critical | | | | rain or irrigation displaces nitrogen easily, which alters |
| factor in healthy vegetation. Certain kinds of plants | | | | results substantially. |
| grow better in more basic dirt, and others thrive | | | | Other substances in the makeup are also sensitive to |
| better in a more acidic material. So, a good soil | | | | water, so be sure to use samples that are relatively |
| testing lab will first determine the pH level in your | | | | dry. Contaminated soil testing needs to be conducted |
| area. | | | | with dry samples, for example. Contaminants can |
| The soil will be analyzed for key nutrients that are | | | | make growing gardens and crops nearly impossible, |
| essential for your plants' proper development. For | | | | and it is important to detect them in order to treat |
| instance, the typical test will determine the current | | | | the problem. A variety of industrial and commercial |
| levels of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, | | | | businesses have byproducts that make their way |
| zinc and manganese in your samples. | | | | into your planting area and affect the growth of |
| Once the testing is complete, a recommendation will | | | | plants. Testing for contaminants is almost as |
| be made about the best type of fertilizer to use for | | | | important as testing the nutrient levels. |
| the specific types of plants you intend to sow. A | | | | If you'd prefer to treat your soil with a natural |
| customized analysis of your garden or farm fields | | | | substance instead of chemical fertilizers, you can use |
| ensures that you won't waste money on | | | | compost as an alternative. Its benefits are |
| over-fertilization, or worse yet: do your plants | | | | remarkable. If you opt to use this option or the |
| physical harm by adding too many chemicals. | | | | chemical option, a soil testing lab is the best resource |
| The best time to take samples for analysis is two to | | | | you have to optimize the success of your crops and |
| three months before you intend to seed your fields | | | | gardens. |