Thinking about spring planting? If you live in a city environment, where soils may have been disturbed by construction, compacted, depleted of important nutrients, or contaminated by pollutants, it’s especially important to find out what shape your soil is in before you plant. Healthy soil with adequate nutrients is vital for healthy plants.
Early spring is a great time to test your soil (autumn is also a good time) – soil samples should be collected when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and soil is fairly dry. Most local University Cooperative Extension Service offices offer soil testing and can help you interpret your results. If you live in an urban area, you may want to ask if the soil laboratory can also test for contaminants, including lead, arsenic, benzene, cyanide, and others.
Find tips for taking a soil sample from the Natural Resources Conservation Service: www.nrcs.usda.gov/FEATURE/backyard/nutmgt.html.
Find tips for reading soil test results from the National Gardening Association: www.garden.org/urbangardening/?page=interpreting-soil.
(Sources: Moss, William. “Moss in the City: Get the Scoop on Your Soil.” National Gardening Association, http://www.garden.org/urbangardening/index.php?page=get-the-scoop; Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Nutrient Management: In Your Backyard.” www.nrcs.usda.gov/FEATURE/backyard/nutmgt.html)
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