TESTING THE SOIL
The goal of soil testing is to achieve good overall soil fertility levels and maintain healthy plants, good yields and high quality foods.
A proper recommendation for supplying the nutrients that are lacking in a soil can only be as accurate as the soil sample taken and sent for testing and analysis. On the basis of a detailed soil analysis, and plant tissue analysis if necessary, it is possible to measure and build a specific fertilizer recommendation for every soil, tailoring the recommendations to meet the requirements for growing plants organically.
The basic soil analysis should include:
Total or Cation Exchange Capacity (We stress the T.E.C. as most accurate)
Soil pH
Organic Matter (Colloidal Humus) in percent
Nitrogen (N released from colloidal humus)
Sulfate (Expressed as elemental sulfur) in ppm
Phosphates (as root-acid soluble P205)
Olsen P value (When pH is above 7.5)
Percent Base Saturation of:
Calcium,
Magnesium,
Potassium,
Sodium,
Other Bases
Exchangeable Hydrogen
Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, & Sodium levels – reported in lbs./ac.
Trace elements:
Boron in ppm
Iron in ppm
Manganese in ppm
Copper in ppm
Zinc in ppm
Additional Tests may be considered, depending on specific needs.
Cobalt in ppm - (This test is encouraged especially the first time for each sample of any area that will provide feed for livestock or significant amounts of food for people.)
Molybdenum in ppm – Especially consider for lower pH soils. (Needed for soil bacteria and proper plant growth and nutrition.)
Chlorides in ppm - (Consider as necessary in areas near the ocean or where water used for irrigation may have a high salt content.)
Salt Concentration in d/Sm - (Same comment)
Aluminum - (Testing is not generally recommended as once the soil calcium saturation is corrected even soils considered as having toxic levels of aluminum cease to cause problems.)
Limestone Analysis - (Generally available from the supplier.)
Manure Analysis (Should include moisture content, nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, sulfur, calcium and magnesium. B, Fe, Mn, Cu, & Zn are optional.)
Compost Analysis - (Should include the same information as the manure given above, plus pH, ash content and the carbon to nitrogen ratio.)