View a copy of our first soil test from Auburn University here.
Certain crops prefer certain soil characteristics. Getting your soil tested should be done at least week before tilling the soil and building beds. Soil amendments can be added in order to manipulate the pH balance or the availability of key elements.
As you can see from our soil test, the pH of the CCG is 6.8. Although most vegetables prefer different pH levels, they all generally do well in soils with a pH between 6.0-7.0. We probably don't need to spend time or resources altering the pH at this time, but we should be sure to note how the reading changes over the next several soil tests.
The soil test report also provides information regarding the amount of key elements in the tested area. According to our test, the CCG has a very high amount of Phosphorus and a medium amount of Potassium. Although Magnesium and Calcium are both in high numbers, they are not excessively so. In order to avoid raising the Phosphorus numbers, the CCG will only add fertilizers with low ratio for Phosphorus. Most crops do not require a lot of Phosphorus to survive, leaving most of it in the soil to build up over the years. The Phosphorus will eventually decline as we stop adding new sources of the element.
If you're interested in testing your own garden site, you can pick up a soil testing kit at the county extension office for free. Auburn does charge a $7 fee for their test report. You should expect your report within a week of submission. The CCG will plan to test the garden site twice a season (summer and winter) in order to make the best decisions about adding soil amendments and crop rotations.
Certain crops prefer certain soil characteristics. Getting your soil tested should be done at least week before tilling the soil and building beds. Soil amendments can be added in order to manipulate the pH balance or the availability of key elements.
As you can see from our soil test, the pH of the CCG is 6.8. Although most vegetables prefer different pH levels, they all generally do well in soils with a pH between 6.0-7.0. We probably don't need to spend time or resources altering the pH at this time, but we should be sure to note how the reading changes over the next several soil tests.
The soil test report also provides information regarding the amount of key elements in the tested area. According to our test, the CCG has a very high amount of Phosphorus and a medium amount of Potassium. Although Magnesium and Calcium are both in high numbers, they are not excessively so. In order to avoid raising the Phosphorus numbers, the CCG will only add fertilizers with low ratio for Phosphorus. Most crops do not require a lot of Phosphorus to survive, leaving most of it in the soil to build up over the years. The Phosphorus will eventually decline as we stop adding new sources of the element.
If you're interested in testing your own garden site, you can pick up a soil testing kit at the county extension office for free. Auburn does charge a $7 fee for their test report. You should expect your report within a week of submission. The CCG will plan to test the garden site twice a season (summer and winter) in order to make the best decisions about adding soil amendments and crop rotations.
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