Our latest video walks you through the process of how to do a soil test. Soil tests can be scary or feel too time consuming, but doing one is the equivalent of driving with your eyes open. You can see what’s going on underground and what your plants need.
Join Christy in Part 1 as she shows the step-by-step process of taking a soil sample, prepping the soil for the test, and then executing the test. We used the Rapitest test kit, which is one of the most readily available kits around, so you’ll be able to follow along as you do your own test.
How to Do a Soil Test – Part 1
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Resources
Look out for Part 2 coming next week where we analyze the results and calculate the quantities of amendment!
Get the Rapitest Soil Test Kit we used in the video here (we make a few cents if you use this link).
Learn more about what Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium do in your soil in Gardening for Geeks.
See how we tested our citrus trees for nutrients here.
Need more than NPK and pH? Go with a lab test that includes heavy metals like this one from Wallace Labs (use the Standard Agricultural Soil Suitability Analysis) AND/OR
Get your soil microbial profile done with a biological test at EarthFort – it’s not cheap but it’s worth doing if you don’t experience a change after amending.
Don’t let the process deter you from taking the time to test your soil for the big 3 nutrients. It can make a huge difference in the success or failure of your next growing season. Test for success!
