Tilled Garden Bed

Choice of 10-10-10 or 6-12-12 Blended Fertilizer at this garden center

There are two basic rules in gardening:

1. the right plant in the right place, and

2. properly feeding the soil that nourishes the plants.

Many problems in lawns and gardens can be avoided if the gardener knows what the fertility and pH of the soil is.

What is soil pH? It is a measure of the soil acidity or alkalinity. A pH meter will accurately measure this. Soil pH range varies from 0 – 7 – 14. Readings from 0 to 7.0 are acidic, 7.0 is neutral, and above 7.0 is alkaline. Most (not all) garden flowers, vegetables, and landscape plants (shrubs, trees and vines) grow best in the mild acidic range between 6.0 and 7.0. Outside this pH range, some minor nutrients like iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) may become unavailable above 7.0 or in over supply below 5.0.

Soil tests are available from a number of sources: DIY kits sold at garden centers, on-line, or through mail order sources. The results obtained from these test kits are “ball park”. Soil testing from university soil labs or private labs is more accurate. For information about soil testing from university soil labs, contact your local Extension office in your state or county. For an extra fee, the lab may also determine your soil type: sand, silt, or clay.

Results from a soil lab should list: soil pH and suggest amounts of fertilizers and lime to apply to each area of your garden. Blended fertilizers contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The analysis may suggest adding only nitrogen. Lawns may benefit from extra calcium and/or magnesium by liming. Dolomitic limestone (Dolomite) contains magnesium (Mg) and hydrated lime supplies calcium (Ca). If you need to lower soil pH, say for growing blueberries or azaleas, how much sulfur (S) should you apply per 1000 square feet.

Frequently, autumn through mid-winter period is the best time to test rather that in the spring. Labs are very busy at that time and a report may take 4-6 weeks to process.