A soil test has been noted by successful gardeners to be the most efficient andmoney-saving step toward better gardening.
In rainy regions, soil is typically more acidic; in desert areas, soil is more alkaline.
Soil in these areas often needs to be amended to allow a wider variety of plants to thrive.
Credit: Jacob Fox
To raise too-low pH (acidic):Add garden lime, dolomite limestone, or wood ashes.
To lower too-high pH (alkaline):Add horticultural sulfur, composted oak leaves, or pine needles.
You’ll only need about a teaspoon of soil from each area.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Be sure to break up any large clumps using a trowel.
Test Garden Tip:Try not to touch the soil samples with your bare hands.
You’ll only need a small amount of soiljust enough to fill up to the indicated line.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Take one of the capsules from the soil test kit and carefully open it.
Empty the powder into the soil test vial.
Use distilled water to test your soil; water with additives can alter the results of your soil test.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Fill the soil test vial with water until you reach the dotted line.
For best judgment of color, hold your vial up to the sun.
