Simple Ways to Test Soil Quality Prior to Planting

Soil that is rich in nutrients is essential for practical gardening. Plenty of subsurface animal and plant activity, such as earthworms and fungus, is a sign of good soil. Organic matter-rich soil is darker and crumbles off the roots of plants when pulled up. A robust, well-distributed root system is also indicative of excellent soil.

Why Test Your Soil Quality?

Soil testing is essential to producing healthy plants in your garden. It can help make educated decisions about fertilizer and soil amendments, identify plant issues and help correct problems, help discover a new park or growing place and increase plant growth.

Another reason to evaluate the soil is so that you don’t have to rely on fertilizer as much. You won’t need as much “fixing” if you start with healthy soil. So, before throwing on the lime and fertilizers, take a soil sample to send off for testing.

Simple Tricks To Test Soil Quality Before Planting

1.   Check For Soil Organisms

Make a hole that is 6 inches deep. During the four minutes, keep an eye on the inside of the hole and count the number of species of bugs you can see, such as spiders, ground beetles, and centipedes. Anything less than ten indicates that your soil lacks animal life. Healthy organisms keep pests and diseases at bay.

You must ensure good soil quality before planting for a healthy and prosperous outcome. You must search for a spacious property with a healthy environment to do this. Applying for a Heloc via SoFi can help you search for a better and healthier place for your plants.

2.   Look For Earthworms

Worms aerate the soil, improving circulation. They also consume organic material; therefore, a giant worm population indicates that your soil is nutrient-rich.

Search for worm casts or burrows on the surface of damp soil. Dig up a chunk of ground 6 inches deep and count the worms that you can find in the lump. Five is the perfect number of worms, but three are still okay.

Testing soil quality is essential to check if your garden is suitable for planting. Some places are good for something other than plant propagation due to high levels of toxic chemicals in the soil. At the same time, some gardens are abundant with natural and organic properties that are good for plants.

3.   Use Tilth

Good soil comprises various-sized aggregates or pieces that hold their form when gently pressed. Rounder aggregates in rich, organic soil allow water and air to circulate more readily around plant roots. It leads to healthier plants.

You have a complicated soil problem if the aggregates are tough to break apart. It is a primary method to prepare your soil before planting.

4.   Water Infiltration

Water infiltration is the process of getting water to plant roots. Find a coffee can and remove the bottom. Press it into the dirt three inches above the ground, and fill the visible area of the container with water. Time how long the soil takes to absorb the water. Repeat until the absorption rate slows and the absorption time becomes uniform.

Your soil is likely compacted if it moves slower than 12 – 1 inch per hour.

Water infiltration brings water to your plants’ roots and helps avoid erosion and runoff. It also enhances aeration.

The Bottom Line

Testing your soil before planting is vital to check if it is ideal for plant health. It could also help you gain ideas on what to improve or if you need to change the location of your garden.

Soil testing is a diagnostic technique to determine the nutrient profile and soil structure. The soil’s chemical or physical properties, as well as its nutritional status and lime needs, are measured during the test after assessing the soil, fertilizer, and lime. Soil testing is essential in high-yield farms, but you may apply it to small gardens