How Important is a Soil Test

The soil is made up of minerals, organic matter (living and dead), air and water. Soil provides nutrients and serves as a foundation for plants. Improving your soil increases plant health and is critical to growing a lawn or garden you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.

Plant Growth and Vigor Are Often Dependent on Soil pH

Plant growth and vigor are often dependent on soil pH. The measurement of how alkaline or acidic the soil is. Soil pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14 with a measurement of 7.0 considered neutral. A number below 7 is acidic (sometimes called “sour”); a number above 7 is alkaline.

A soil test determines whether your soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline. A soil test also indicates which elements are missing from your soil and how much to add to remedy the problem. Soil test kits are available at different garden centers. These kits will provide an immediate analysis of your soil’s pH and nutrient levels.