Many Rowan County residents visited our office for soil sample boxes, paperwork and advice this summer and fall. Soil testing is a free service for all North Carolina residents from April through ...

A $20 UMass Amherst soil test gives gardeners custom advice to improve soil, save money and help plants grow better.

Save money and time. A soil test tells you what you need instead of using unnecessary fertilizers. Significant amounts of essential nutrients are removed from the soil through plant growth, so ...

For years I tried convincing my grandfather, an avid vegetable gardener, to get his soil tested by the Clemson University Agricultural Service Laboratory. He finally agreed and submitted a sample ($6) ...

A garden may appear to be perfect on the surface and still fail spectacularly underneath. That rich, dark soil might promise ...

Man cupping soil in hands while squatting in garden - Drazen Zigic/Getty Images Soil testing could not be more important preceding tasks like establishing a new garden, diagnosing plant problems, ...

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Colleen Hagerty Colleen Hagerty is a writer focused on emergency preparedness.

Of all the tasks superintendents must complete on a daily basis and the projects they must attend to, taking time to read and interpret soil test results is not frequently high on the "to do" list.

Good soil is the starting point for a garden that grows well. It feeds your plants, holds water, and helps roots grow strong. If the soil is off, even the best seeds can struggle. Many gardeners focus ...

Coming up with a good soil blend for your plants is a lot like creating a recipe. You wouldn’t expect to succeed with a recipe with no idea how much of each ingredient to add. A soil test kit allows ...

Knowing your soil test results is one thing. Knowing how the lab got those numbers — and which extractants it used — is just as important for making solid fertility decisions. “At Ward laboratories, ...