Monday, February 16, 2009

"I LIKE DIRT"



Want to find out about your dirt? Send for a soil test. I requested a soil test kit from Rutgers University.  For a home garden it's not necessary, but an efficient way to find out what your soil/ crops need or lack.

1. What is a soil test? (Info sheet, a questionnaire, and a mailing bag/envelope)
Measures the ph, nutrients and minerals in your soil.

2. Send for soil test.
Write to your local cooperative extension. In NJ, kits can be purchased from your local county office of Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension.
($16.75  covered the cost of my test and kit)

3. Follow SOIL SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS. It's not difficult- but there's a certain way to sample your soil correctly. 

4. Mail out soil sample. My kit came addressed to the soil testing laboratory. 

5. Results: Turn around should be 5-10 days.