Hands On Women

Gardening can be frustrating, especially if you have little experience. One of the first things that you should do if you are having difficulty getting your garden to grow is take a soil sample. Sending a soil sample off for testing allows you to identify what your soil needs. The first step in taking and sending a soil sample is to locate your county Extension center. To locate your county Extension center, do a quick Google search for “Your State or County Extension center”; this will put you in touch with the closest Extension center to you.

Now that you have found your center, it is time to get a sample and a sample box. Just call your local Extension center and ask them for a box. They will let you know how much it costs to get a soil sample tested, but it is generally 5 to 9 dollars.

Taking the actual sample is extremely simple, but there are a couple of things you need to do to make sure your sample is an accurate portrayal of your yard. You will need to take several samples from different locations in your yard, and you need to make sure that you go in at least three inches to get your soil sample. You should also pick out rocks and vegetation from your soil sample. After you mail it in and receive you results, you can start to correct any imbalances you have in your soil. Soil often is lacking vital nutrients and minerals like nitrogen, calcium, and sulfur. Fixing these imbalances are generally simple and inexpensive.