Soil Test
A soil test provides information on the current nutrient and pH status of a sampling. A speciemen may be composed of either a collection from a specific area or collective sample. Depending on the way a sample is collected, results may be site specific or a broad estimate based on an average from the composite sampling.
Most basic soil tests analysis the nutrient status of the macro-nutients ( ones used in the largest amounts) as well as pH. The report summarizes its findings and then makes admendment recommendations based on the anaysis results and the information submitted with the soil sample. This best reports for homeowners break the recommendations into quanties that are based on smaller more familiar measurements more appropriate than recommendations intended for farmers and mass acareage.
I suggest you include current observations, present and past land use information as well as the intended crop or exisiting plant material and issues that prompted the testing. Also include a listing of all fertilizers, pesticides ( insecticides and fungicides ) that have already been applied. They may have influenced the current reading and impact the test report’s recommendations.
Understanding pH
Most basic soil tests analysis the nutrient status of the macro-nutients ( ones used in the largest amounts) as well as pH. The report summarizes its findings and then makes admendment recommendations based on the anaysis results and the information submitted with the soil sample. This best reports for homeowners break the recommendations into quanties that are based on smaller more familiar measurements more appropriate than recommendations intended for farmers and mass acareage.
I suggest you include current observations, present and past land use information as well as the intended crop or exisiting plant material and issues that prompted the testing. Also include a listing of all fertilizers, pesticides ( insecticides and fungicides ) that have already been applied. They may have influenced the current reading and impact the test report’s recommendations.
Understanding pH
The pH value or how acidic or basic the soil is, will influence the soil report’s recommendation to produce optimum plant growth. Each tests allows customizing the fertilizer, lime or sulfur applications as well the micro-nutrient levels needed to best suit your landscape and plant needs. Fertilizing without knowing the starting point of the soil’s nutrient level can result in problems with nutrient deficiencies (in the case of under-fertilization) or problems associated with over-fertilization such as excessive vegetative growth, lack of blooms, delayed maturity, salt burn, wasted money and just as importantly protect against any environmental hazards resulting from excessive fertilizer applications.
[The letters pH stand for “Power of Hydrogen” and is a measure of the molar concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution and as such is a measure of acidity.
The scale generally runs from 4.00, which is highly acid in soil terms and rather uncommon-(if you have a thriving garden- your soil is probably not in this range. 7.00 which is neutral and most desirable and relativly easy to achieve with some minimum effort. 8.00 is alkaline and desirable for some plants. This is more common in parts of Missouri because of the underground material that influences our soil and water.
To raise the pH and lower acidity or sweeten the soil, lime might be recommended- but organic matter can be effective to some degree. To lower pH and increase acidity sulphate of ammonia or urea may be added- too much or the wrong additive can lead to long term damage of the soil and a dead/ toxic zone where nothing will live. Organic matter and openning the air way to tight soil with natural materials has the ability to balance a soil to a more neutral range within reason. Nature has her ways!
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