When you want to start planting flowers, pot plants, or even a vegetable garden, you may be itching to buy seeds and commence the project immediately. However, you should know the nature of the soil in your area. Soil health cannot be determined by merely looking at it. Instead, professional testing is the best way to learn how healthy your soil is before planting anything. Also, it will help you decide what kind of soil fertilizers and manure to invest in to improve the nutrients. Here are some of the reasons why soil testing is essential for any homeowner who intends to start farming.
Insight into the soil's nutrients
Whether you are planting flowers, fruit trees, or vegetables, your yield can only be as good as the quality of the soil in which your plants are grown. Soil testing will help you gain deeper insight into the components of the soil as pertains to nutrients and their quantity. It will identify the nutrients and vitamins that are currently present in the land. Quality soil should have standard levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and other nutrients such as zinc, boron, and manganese. If any of the nutrients are missing or in low levels, you will know which fertilizers to buy to improve the soil's quality and increase the chances of getting a high yield.
Determination of soil pH
Soil pH is an essential factor that will determine whether your plants will survive the conditions. The pH changes by region and it can even be different from one part of your garden to another. Environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, and the vegetation in the area can affect soil pH. If the soil is too acidic or alkaline, it can affect the development of the crops. Soil testing analyzes the pH and other parameters such as the moisture content and fertility. After examination, the expert will advise on some of the remedies that you can utilize to restore it to proper pH levels that will support plant growth.
Analysis of the soil's texture
The soil's texture affects drainage, an aspect that will determine how healthy your plants will be. Various plants require soils with different textures. For instance, rice grows well in clay soils which hold water while vegetables are best grown in loamy soils. If you plant your seedlings on clay soils, the excess water can cause the roots to rot. On the other hand, if you grow them on sandy land which does not hold water, they will lack water and essential nutrients. A soil test will give details into the texture and type of the soil in your area, and which kinds of plants can grow in it.
Having soil that's not suitable for plant growth does not mean that your dream is over. You can always contact a soil supplier for more information or advice.
My name is Tina and I am a big fan of the planet we live on. I didn't always use to be this way. In the past, I would throw trash all over the place. I would leave the lights in my house turned on when I was out. And I didn't worry about recycling. However, one day, my kid came home from school and said he had been learning about recycling. He was pretty upset and said I should do more to save the planet. So, I did. I hope this blog helps you to do more to protect the environment.