Test that Soil!

Dear Cooperative Extension,

First I tried planting them pointy side down, roughly two inches deep, watered them faithfully, waited a week--but nothing came up. So I bought another dozen, and this time I planted them the rounded side down, gave them the same care, an even threw in a few handfuls of 10-10-10 fertilizer. It’s been two weeks now and still none of my eggs has germinated. I‘ve wanted to raise chickens ever since I was a small child growing up in the city. Please tell me what I’m doing wrong.”

The reply came in the next day's mail: Sorry, we are unable to determine the nature of your problem until you’ve had your soil tested. Please find enclosed the required form, which includes sampling and mailing instructions.

Generations of county extension educators across the nation have shared this “true story.” While it’s good for a chuckle, it also illustrates just how serious (some would say fanatical) we in Cooperative Extension feel about soil testing.

Whether you tend a postage-stamp backyard garden or lawn, or a large acreage of food or forage crops, having your soil analyzed by the UNH Analytical Services Lab is a bargain you can’t afford to pass up. For the price of a couple of hamburger meals you’ll receive a detailed soil analysis from a state-of-the-art testing facility, along with crop-specific recommendations of what to do. Following through with these recommendations will save you money, help you grow a better crop, and improve your soil environment.

We suggest fall as the ideal time to have your soil tested. Because the lab is less busy in fall than in spring, you’ll probably get your results faster. If your test indicates a need to raise your soil pH, remember it can take three to twelve months for a lime application to produce the desired change. A fall lime application gives you a head start on the process. Although you can also apply compost in fall, wait until spring to apply fertilizers to avoid the possibility of nutrient leaching and runoff.

To get all the information you need to submit a soil sample for testing, visit the Analytical Services Lab. Each of the following downloadable forms contains information on how to take a representative sample and get it to the lab:

• Home gardeners: Vegetables, Lawns, Small Fruits and General Landscaping Form
  
• Commercial Fruit, Vegetable, Turf, and Landscaper Form
  
• Corn, Forage, Pasture, Biosolids Spreading
  
• Greenhouse and Nursery Form
  
• Understanding Your Soil Test Results
  This fact sheet will help you interpret the report you receive from the lab.

By Steve Turaj and George Hamilton, UNH Cooperative Extension Agricultural Resources Educators