Here’s the scoop on dirt
When I created garden beds so that I might grow vegetables, I had a soil sample made. I wanted to know what I might need to add to the soil in order to grow vegetables. That was several years ago.
I have noticed my crops have diminished in production so now I am testing again. It is recommended that you get your soil tested every three years so I was overdue for a test.
If you have not had your soil tested or if it has been awhile, now is a good time to get it done. The Oklahoma County Extension center has a fact sheet titled, “Start With A Soil Sample.” It explains how a soil sample is made, where to take it, and how much it cost. I would recommend taking a short trip to the OSU Extension Center located at 2500 NE 63.
Use a spade or shovel and a clean bucket to provide a sample to be tested. It is recommended that you take several samples, 12 to 15, around the area in question. Samples should be taken to a depth of 6 inches.
Mix the soil in a container then take two cups of soil and put it into a clean container and take it to the Extension Office. I used a zip-lock storage bag as my container. The soil test will cost $10, and results will be sent to you within two weeks.
A soil sample is the starting place for improving your soil. Without a soil test, you are only guessing what your soil needs. It lets you know the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that are in your soil. All are needed in garden soil.
Nitrogen develops the dark green color in plants and is essential for the growth of foliage. Phosphorus promotes root formation and the producing of fruit or blooms. Potassium is needed for plant health and to help the plant resist disease. Potassium also is important in the ripening of fruit. Different plants have different requirements of these three essentials.
The Oklahoma County Extension Center has fact sheets that will let you know different requirements, or you can go to osufacts.okstate.edu for more information.
A soil test also will provide the level of pH in your soil. Soil pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral.
If soil is below 7, it is toward the acid side of the scale, and if it is above, it is toward the alkaline. Most vegetables prefer a slightly acidic soil of about 6.5.
The pH is important because certain nutrients dissolve in water easier at a level that is more acid. In order for the nutrients to help your plants they need to dissolve in water.
Some plants like blueberry, azalea, astilbe and primrose like a soil that is more toward the acid side of the pH scale. They like a pH of 4.5-6.5. Most plants do well with a 6-7 reading. The fact sheet HLA-6007 “Improving Garden Soil Fertility” can be obtained from the County Extension Center.
We can change our pH gradually by adding lime to raise the pH and sulfur to lower the pH. It is possible to change the pH by up to 1 point per season. The soil will need to be monitored annually until the desired pH is achieved.
Attending a gardening workshop is a fun and informative experience. Check out these opportunities, and for more information, please go to http://oces. okstate.edu/oklahoma or contact the OSU Extension Service at 713-1125.