Soil Surprises

One of the first things many garden experts will tell you is to have your soil tested before you begin your gardening. I have always ingored this advice.  I'm not sure why exactly. Soil tests are free from the local agricultural extension office. The soil test tells you the ph and mineral levels of your soil. This information can be used to figure supplements for your soil to create the ideal growing environment for your plants. The end result should be a larger yield of vegetables. 

My dad has been trying to improve his pasture and hay fields. When he got soil samples from those fields he grabbed a sample from the garden too. It took about a month to get the results, but the garden report was full of surprises. 

This garden plot had not been used for years, so we just assumed that the soil needed lots of supplementing. We've added lime and manure. We probably didn't need too.

The soil test shows that the soil is very high (translation too high) in all the measured elements except nitrogen. Interpreting the West Virginia soil test report was very helpful in understanding the numbers.  The bottom of the report gives recommendations for fertilizer. Our recommendations include adding organic material, but not manure. 

Why didn't I get the soil tested before? Now, I need to get the smaller garden spot tested and the spot where I want to put a few blueberry bushes. Have you had your soil tested? 

Need a hotel in vegas?