Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

Home BYGL Hort Shorts May 8, 2008 SOIL TESTING FOR LAWN AND GARDEN
SOIL TESTING FOR LAWN AND GARDEN Print E-mail

Homeowners often apply fertilizers to their lawns and gardens without knowing what nutrients might be deficient.  This practice can lead to over or under-fertilization or even application of the wrong fertilization.  It is possible that homeowners can waste quite a bit of money on wrong fertilizers or inappropriate application rates.  High energy prices have caused fertilizer prices to increase significantly.  It makes more sense now than ever to have your soil tested. 

The soil test is an excellent measure of soil fertility.  It is a very inexpensive way of maintaining good plant health and maximum crop productivity.  The standard soil test provides the status of phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), pH, cation exchange capacity, lime requirement index and base saturation.  Additional tests are also available for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), soluble salts and nitrates.

A list of commercial testing labs can be obtained from OSU Extension offices across the state.  Some Extension Offices stock "soil testing kits" for one or two labs.  County Extension Educators can help homeowners or professionals interpret their soil test results.  You will need to call your local Extension Office to determine how to take and process a soil sample, and where to send the sample to have it tested.

For more information, see:

< Prev   Next >
Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 May 2008 18:57 )
 

OSU Extension

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity, or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veterans status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

Website designed by Dr. Tim Rhodus. Direct comments or questions to Webmaster