What Is Soil Testing and What Are We Looking For?

The ground beneath our feet is much more than just simple dirt—it’s packed full of nutrients and toxins that can either negatively or positively impact crops and vegetation. Since soil varies from property to property, it’s a good idea to have it tested.

As the name suggests, soil testing involves taking a few samples of earth from a plot of land and analyzing it. Though home soil test kits are available at hardware stores, hiring a pro yields in-depth results that you can’t get on your own. Continue reading to learn what we’re looking for during soil testing in Hudson, CO:

• Soil pH: The first thing a soil test will tell you is its pH level, which is a measurement of acidity. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with the lower numbers being acidic and the higher ones being alkaline. Crops, grasses and flowers tend to do the best when the pH is slightly acidic—about 6.5 on the pH scale. Knowing the pH allows farmers and gardeners to adjust the level using different chemicals.
• Available nutrients: Testing for nutrients like phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium lets people know if fertilizers or other products need to be added. If, for example, the phosphorous level in the ground is low, a farmer or gardener should use a phosphate-heavy fertilizer to raise it back up.
• Nitrogen: Most crops need plenty of nitrogen to thrive. Our soil testing procedure in Hudson, CO determines the exact level of nitrogen to ensure there’s enough in the soil for a good yield.
• Aluminum: If the pH is low and the aluminum levels are high, the soil can be toxic to many plants. Luckily, if we know the aluminum level, we may be able to extract some of it from the ground.
• Micronutrients: Failing crops and lousy-looking gardens could be subject to high levels of micronutrients like boron, copper, manganese and zinc. The only way to determine if they’re the root of the problem is with a professional soil test.

Why get your soil tested?

We wouldn’t offer soil testing in Hudson, CO if it didn’t offer a number of benefits. Here’s how both homeowners and farmers can benefit from soil testing:

• Ensure good vegetation health: The best way to achieve healthy crops, flowers and grass is with a soil test. Once you have the results of the test, you’ll know what types of fertilizers you need or what products you need to add to the ground to lower or raise the pH level.
• Save time and money: If you’re lucky, the results of the test will say that your soil is at the perfect pH level and that there are plenty of beneficial nutrients in the ground. If that’s the case, you can save a ton of money and spend your time doing something other than spreading fertilizer.

With spring on the horizon, now is a great time to set up an appointment for soil testing. Give High Plains Engineering & Design, LLC a call today to get a quote for testing or to learn more about our soil testing procedure in Hudson, CO.

Categorised in: House Building