Soil sampling and testing is important for gardens and lawns to insure a proper pH balance and that the correct amount of nutrients are present. Though not difficult or expensive, it is not usually done by homeowners.

Having a soil sampling probe makes the job easier but it is not necessary. For lawns, a 3" deep sample is good and for a garden 6" is better because of the deeper root zone of the plants. It is best to take the sample when the soil is dry but not so dry it is hard to dig (or probe) into the soil.

I take multiple samples making sure there is no organic matter in the mix. For the average urban lawn or garden a dozen samples is more than enough. A few samples is good if you are testing a small area for a specific plat species. I then mix the samples together in a bucket so I end up with a good average of the sampled area.

Testing the soil is next. The most accurate test are from your local extension service at a nominal charge. There are also test kits available at local garden and home centers- these are not as accurate as the extension service but are close enough for lawns. The main advantage of the home test kit is that you can get the results in a short time as compared to the extension service which can take weeks.

Once the results are in you can implement a program that will make for healthy plants while not using too much fertilizer. I always start with balancing the pH. Lime and potash are used to get the pH in the correct range for what you are growing.

With a little time and money you can save hours of work and cash. For lawns- mowing at 3", aerating, and balancing the pH will reduce the need for fertilizers by making a sustainable ecosystem in the root zone.