May 2, 2002

Time to Have Your Garden Soil Tested

Ever wonder why some lawns are a picturesque sea of green and other lawns are spotty and uneven? Or why some flowers don’t really thrive and some vegetables don’t reach your expectations in size, color, or even taste?

"Often the problem is not the plants themselves, but rather the soil they are growing in," according to Cheryl Biller, director, North Dakota State University plant diagnostic laboratory. "Healthy soil will more likely result in lush green grass and brilliant flowers. And springtime, before your lawns become yellow or your vegetables sick, is the best time to test your soil to ensure its health, and the lushness of vegetation that grows from it."

A typical soil test will provide information on levels of major nutrients in the soil such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and examine other important plant health determining characteristics such as pH, conductivity and organic matter composition. This information will enable you to implement an environmentally friendly, economically efficient, fertilizer and soil health program.

In addition to ensuring an adequate supply of nutrients to your plants, proper nutrient and pH levels can help curtail potential plant disease problems before they occur. Healthy, vigorous plants can often withstand pressure from certain microorganisms that might cause injury when plants are stressed. Soil testing makes it possible to start with a nutrient balanced foundation that will promote optimal and vigorous growth. It also provides the information needed to make sound decisions on which of plants will perform well in a given site.

The NDSU Plant Diagnostic Lab and Soil Testing Labs are working together to help solve plant problems. "We now offer Yard and Garden Solutions - soil and plant testing options to assist homeowners," Biller says. "Be proactive and get your soil tested early, in the spring, to minimize or eliminate plant problems later."

Soil should be sampled, ideally, with a soil probe but a small shovel or spade work as well. Take a small slice of soil down to a depth of 6 inches, from several locations. Break up clods and mix the sub-samples thoroughly. These samples can be mailed to: NDSU Soil Testing Lab, Waldron 103, Fargo, ND 58105. It is best to sample lawns, vegetable gardens, and flower beds separately (and label them as such) to get specific fertilizer recommendations.

There is a $15 fee for each soil test, and this includes recommendations for appropriate fertilizer applications and suggestions for appropriate plantings.

If you live in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area and would like someone to sample for you, call (701) 231-8942. (There will be an additional fee for this service.)

For the prettiest flowers, the biggest and most nutritious vegetables, and a vigorous, lush lawn, have your soil tested this spring.

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Source: Cheryl Biller, (701) 231-7854, cheryl.ruby@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, rmattern@ndsuext.nodak.edu