Tuesday, July 16, 2019

For Soil Testing California Is Worth Visiting

By Helen King


Information that is derived from soil tests is the most useful resource that one can rely on for fertilizer recommendations and other applications. Having soils tested is the best way of maintaining good plant health and maximizing productivity of fruit crops an vegetable gardens. The same applies to landscapes and lawns. One is able to pinpoint plant nutrient needs and apply just the correct amount of fertilizer by relying on the tests. When in need of Soil Testing California should be visited.

Plant selection process is also made easier when one relies on the results obtained from having the soil tested. On large tracts of land, one can know which kind of plants to plant in different parts of the land. Diagnosing of problems with plant growth can also be done easily and faster by relying on the tests.

What one needs to do is to take samples of soils in their land and send them over to a professional lab to have them analyzed. The analysis may take a few days, but then the results are sent back together with useful recommendations to allow one to take corrective measures needed. For instance, one is advised on the additives and fertilizers to apply to improve crop and lawn performance.

A standard test contains several kinds of information. The information includes cation exchange capacity, soil pH, base saturation, and lime requirement index among others. The status of important minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium is also provided. Additional information that one can have provided if they pay an additional fee includes copper, zinc, iron, nitrates, texture, manganese, soluble salts, and organic matter.

The test is made crucial by many factors. The first reason why the tests are important is that one is able to maintain the right level of fertility of their land. As plants grow, the fertility and quantity of nutrients available in the soil vary. Nutrient availability is also affected by factors such as addition of mulch, sulfur, manure, lime, fertilizers, and compost. Nutrients are also lost into the ground through leaching.

The test should be used as a planning tool for taking appropriate measures towards achieving higher crop or lawn performance. One can decide to do the process any time of the year they want. However, testing before planting crops is advisable. When the assessment is done early enough, one gets plenty of time to undertake corrective measures.

Certain corrective actions are best if conducted at a given time of the year. For instance, fall is the best time to apply lime on the ground to increase the pH value. Sulfur application on the other hand needs to be performed during spring to lower pH.

The best time interval to have soils tested is after every two years. It is however to test more often than that if one wants to monitor their soils more closely. All tests should be done in a professional laboratory where only state-of-the-art machines are used. The process used in the actual testing must also be reputable and accredited.




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