Monday, July 15, 2019

For Soil Testing California Is Worth Visiting

By Helen King


One should base their fertilizer recommendations and other applications on information obtained from tests conducted on soils. The best way to keep crops healthy and maximize productivity is to have the soil tested. Lawns and landscaping should also be tested. Results from these tests can be relied on in applying the correct amount of fertilizer that meets the nutrient requirements of the plants grown. When in search of Soil Testing California should be given priority.

Crops to be planted can be easily selected if one understands the soil structures and nutrients in various parts of a piece of land. Understanding the nutrient content in various parts helps one to plant the right crops in the right places. These tests can also help in diagnosing what occurred in case crop performance deteriorates without any apparent cause.

There are many laboratories in the US where one can take samples of soils from their land to have analyzed. It takes a few days for the analysis to be completed. When the results come back, they contain the kind of information that one needs to be able to undertake corrective measures that the land needs. For example, one is provided with recommendation on what fertilizers and additives they need to buy to achieve more crop productivity and lawn performance.

There are several pieces of information that are contained in a standard test. These include cation exchange capacity, base saturation, lime requirement index, and soil pH among others. The status of the most important minerals to the growth of plants will also be provided. These minerals are magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. If one pays an additional fee, the test can also provide information on copper, zinc, manganese, iron, nitrates, texture, organic matter, and soluble salts.

The test is made crucial by many factors. The first reason why the tests are important is that one is able to maintain the right level of fertility of their land. As plants grow, the fertility and quantity of nutrients available in the soil vary. Nutrient availability is also affected by factors such as addition of mulch, sulfur, manure, lime, fertilizers, and compost. Nutrients are also lost into the ground through leaching.

One is guided on actions to take based on the tests. There is no specific time of the year that is most suitable for the test to be done. However, people are advised to have soils tested before they plant crops or lawns as opposed to after planting. One has enough time to analyze the results and take appropriate corrective measures if the test is done long before the planting season.

It is more effective to perform certain corrective measures at a particular time of the year than others. For example, lime works best when it is applied during fall to lower the acidity in soils. For the case of sulfur, it should be applied during spring to reduce acidity.

It is advisable to have the soils tested after every 2 years. However, the testing can be done more frequently in order to maintain closer control on the fertility of the land. It is also important to have the testing done in a recognized laboratory that has professional equipment, following accredited procedures.




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