Does your soil need a nutrient boost before you plant those veggies in your garden? Can you improve your lawn with some added fertility to have a healthier looking yard?
Soil fertility is important for growing a nice garden and lawn. You can improve the health of your soil by having it tested to determine if there are deficiencies.
Why test your soil? A soil test let’s you catch nutrient deficiencies before they progress. Besides indicating nutrient deficiencies, a soil test can also provide information on soil acidity, the percentage of organic matter in your soil, and your soil’s texture.
How often should you test your soil? Ideally, soil should be tested every three to five years. Sampling during the same season each time provides the best comparison.
Where can I get my soil tested? DeKalb County Farm Bureau offers this service for members. Members get a discount and this service makes sure your soil is ready for spring planting. You provide us with your soil samples in a sealed plastic bag and a completed form and we will send the soil sample to a soil testing lab. All tests will come back with recommendations for your soil needs in a few weeks.
How much does it cost? Soil test prices range from $35 to $45, depending on which test you choose. The tests are: Lawn Garden Test (pH, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, plus cation exchange capacity, calcium, magnesium, base saturation) or Lawn Garden Plus Test (Lawn Garden Test, plus micro-nutrients, iron, zinc, copper, sulfur, boron).
Please contact the Farm Bureau office for more information and procedures for soil testing, 815-756-6361.
For more questions about your lawn and garden contact the DeKalb County Master Gardeners at: uiemg-dekalb@illinois.edu.