Gardening Technique Unit Screen//v.1

Every few years, test the acidity of your soil. If you live in an area that gets less than 25 inches of rain a year, test also for soluble salts. In most states, the County Extension Offices will test your soil. (For a list of County Extension Offices, see County Extension Agents.) Commercial soil laboratories, listed under soil in the yellow pages, also test soil. Or test soil acidity yourself with a test kit, available in most garden centers. It is not practical for home gardeners to test for nutrient levels because the cost of the test is usually more than might be saved in fertilizers. Take a soil sample like this:

1. Use a clean plastic bucket and trowel, since any traces of fertilizer or lime will offset the test.

2. Select the areas that you wish to test separately. Different soil types should be tested separately, as should areas you put to different uses.

3. Dig a hole 6 inches deep or deeper when testing soil around tree roots.

4. With a trowel, cut a thin slice from the side of the hole. Scrape the top ½ inch of soil from the slice.

5. Place the slice in a bucket. Take more samples from the same area.

6. Mix the soil in the bucket thoroughly. Measure out 2 cups for testing.

7. If someone other than you is testing the soil, be sure to note what type of plants are growing, or will be planted, in the area.

8. Repeat the sampling procedure for each area you wish to test. Rinse the trowel and bucket between areas.

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