The "Down and Dirty" about soil

Spring is here in the Northeast. A time to enjoy the beauty of nature, plan that veggie garden or flower bed, new shrubs or simply improve the quality of your lawn. Most New Jersey gardeners and homeowners are just itching to get out there and turn up a little soil.

Gardening is a great hobby with wonderful rewards. To insure a successful return on their investment, commercial lawn, plant and flower fertilizers are a ritual part of spring and summer gardening efforts. But STOP for a moment before you add that fertilizer to your shopping basket!

ARE YOU SURE your soil needs the nutrients you're adding

OR are you applying amendments to the soil that are unnecessary?

The very first step in assuring a successful and rewarding garden, lawn or newly established tree or shrub is NOT adding fertilizer-it's sending a sample of the soil out for analysis. 

Soil sample testing is an easy and affordable process. AND NOW is the time to gather your samples and send them to the lab for analysis. Soil labs can provided you with step-by-step instruction on how to collect, bag and label your samples. 

But here's the basics on how it works:

1. You'll decide what type of plants you intend to grow in each site.
2. You'll contact your local Extension Agent or Soil Lab for special containers and labels for the samples you'll collect.
3. In early Spring and/or late Fall, you'll collect several samples from the same plot of soil, mixing them together to create a representation of the plot's nutrients.
4. You'll complete a simple form or two which identifies the sample and indicates what you plan to grow in that soil. This is an important step because different plants have different nutrient needs. 
5. Samples, forms and payment (generally under $20.00 per sample) will be mailed to the lab for analysis.
6. In a short time, you'll receive a written report indicating the nutrients already present in the soil sample-and recommendations for amendments that will be best suited for the plants you are installing.
7. NOW you have all the information you need to make a good choice of fertilizers or amendments for each garden plot or planting site!

Why is this an important first step in planning your landscaping or garden?

1. Knowing the composition of your soil guides you in making smart decisions which lead to fewer costly garden disappointments.
2. You may be surprised to learn that your soil nutrient load is already perfectly suited to the plants you wish to grow! (This is especially true for folks who annually enhance their garden with compost).
3. By applying the proper amendments, you're giving your plants all the right things for their growth, productivity and longevity.
4. YOU save money-and time- avoiding the "trial and error" method
5. The environment benefits. Excessive application of fertilizers-or the application of fertilizers not used by plants-becomes runoff. Run-off travels into our vital water systems.  Plants in the natural waterways absorb fertilizers which stimulates their unchecked growth. The delicate balance of aquatic life is disturbed. This alteration of the balance nature intended changes the ability to survive or find food for a variety of organisms, fish and water creatures. 

While YOUR garden or landscape may look amazing- the extended damage from the misapplication or excessive application of fertilizers impacts your "earth neighbors"- and no one wants to see that happen! On one level or another-we all care about "green"-even if that's means the "green" in our wallet! Soil testing before applying fertilizers is a smart way to "go green and SAVE green.

NJ residents can learn more about soil testing through Rutgers Soil Lab's website. Your local county extension agent should also be able to provide you with more info, soil sampling kits and expert advice on maintaining healthy lawns, pastures, gardens and landscapes.