Most gardeners know that success depends on many factors: You can’t grow a sun-loving plant in a shady area, for example. And a shrub that loves wet places won’t do well in dry soil. But the most ...

When farmers talk about their soil test results, the conversation often starts and ends with soil pH. While that one number is important to determining whether lime is needed, that insight is just a ...

Ready to plant? Don't forget to test your soil pH. Before planting your garden don't forget to test your soil pH level to learn how acidic or basic it is. This could be a deciding factor in whether ...

Before planting anything in a garden, the soil should be tested. This provides information about soil pH and plant nutrient levels in the soil and allows a gardener to know ...

Whether you’re preparing for your first garden, planning next year’s plantings after a successful harvest or looking to install a lawn, your first step should be conducting a soil test. “Soil is one ...

Is soil testing important? How can I get my soil tested? The first question is do you need a soil test? There are several situations where a soil test may be appropriate: 1. Landscaping a new home ...

Regularly testing your soil is more important than you might think for helping your plants thrive. Soil tests measure soil pH and nutrient content. The soil of established gardens should be tested ...

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...

If your lawn isn’t impressing as much as you’d like, the problem may be hiding underneath the surface. That is why lawn care professionals all recommend carrying out a lawn soil test in spring as the ...

For about $15, you can get a down-and-dirty soil analysis from your state university’s agricultural lab – including results for phosphorus, potassium, pH (acidity), and organic matter content. But you ...

That’s where soil health comes in. Soil is not just “dirt.” It’s a living ecosystem teeming with nutrients, organic matter and billions of organisms like bacteria, fungi, insects and invertebrates ...