Soil propertiesin our gardens are one of the most important factors for a successful cultivation. Depending on our needs, or rather the needs of the plants we want to cultivate, we can influencesoil quality and fertilityin our garden, among others. using the right fertilizers and growing methods. Seehow to test the soilin the garden to assess its properties and suitability for growing plants, and then select the appropriate cultivation and fertilization methods.
Soil properties. How to test the soil in the garden yourself?
Testing the properties of the soil - how it will help us
"One of the common mistakes is fertilization by eye, which can be counterproductive. To reduce the risk of making a mistake, determine the type andproperties of the soilon which you intend to grow plants - that is, perform soil tests. "
To obtain reliable and precise results, it is best to take soil samples and have them tested at one of the agricultural research stations. However, since performing this type of research is associated with the necessity to incur certain costs, many people decideto determine the properties of the soilin their garden or on their plot. Below we show a simple and self-executing methodhow to examine the soil in the garden
Soil properties - sandy or loamy
The first element we can determine is the type of soil. We can deal with light, medium or heavy soil.In the conditions of amateur cultivation, we can establish agronomic categories of soil, the so-called finger method. This method involves taking a soil sample by hand and rubbing it between your fingers, while observing the appearance and behavior of the collected sample. The table below and photos will help you determine soil properties.
"align=right height=127 width=179 soil - rich in nutrients, but too heavy and impermeable, sticky when wet and formable "
clay soil - is fertile and keeps water quite well, unfortunately it clumps easily, it feels like soap, "
Peat soil - is rich in organic matter and retains water well, often too acidic, therefore requires liming "
Lime soil - light, shallow and rocky, well drained and moderately fertile "
Sandy soil - crushed in fingers is granular, its particles do not stick together and do not stain hands, it is dry, light, permeable, not very fertile, requires frequent fertilization and irrigation
How to test the pH of the soil
Anothersoil propertythat should be determined prior to fertilization is its pH.
The soil pH indicatordetermines its soil acidity or alkalinity. A neutral pH is pH=7. A pH greater than 7 means that the soil is alkaline, and a pH less than 7 that the soil is acidic. The pH of the soil affects the solubility of minerals in the soil and their availability to plants.The pH value can also influence the species and population size of soil organisms. Most garden plants require moderately acidic soils with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. There is also a large group of species that require a more acidic substrate.
"To independentlytest the pH of the soil , we need to purchase a soil pH test kit containing a test tube filled with a solution that changes color when mixed with soil. Fill the tube with the amount of soil specified in the instruction manual (e.g. 1/4), and then shake it vigorously to mix the solution with the soil sample. After mixing, wait for the soil to sink to the bottom of the tube and the liquid to acquire a certain color. Compare the obtained color with the standard attached to the sample. As a rule, orange to yellow color means acidic soil, light green color - neutral soil, and dark brown color - alkaline soil.Remember, however, that this is only an example of colors - we should use the template attached to the pH meter that we have, because different pH meters may indicate different ranges of colors.
Note!Since the pH value of the soil varies, as a rule, several samples from different places in the garden should be taken for testing.
If it turns out that the soil is too acidic, we can lime it or enrich it with organic matter containing calcium, such as mushroom substrate. If the soil is too alkaline, we can lower its pH by adding acidic soil or a mixture of it with acidic peat, or use a fertilizer containing sulfur.
Determining soil properties based on indicator plants
In determiningsoil propertiesin our garden or plot, the observation of spontaneously appearing plants on our plot can also help us. Daisies, white clover and daisies appear on infertile and poor soils.The appearance of these plants indicates that it is necessary to regularly feed the substrate with multi-component fertilizers. If, on the other hand, nettle, field mustard, mocha, yellow moss or starworm spreads in our garden, it proves a high nitrogen content in the soil. Therefore, when fertilizing such soil, we should choose only fertilizers without this component. The appearance of field horsetail, coltsfoot or runner-up glaucoma proves that the soil is wet and heavy. In this case, it is advisable to loosen the soil and mix it with sand.
When it is necessary to examine the soil in the laboratory
The methods described above allow us to approximatelyassess the properties of the soil- its type, fertility or pH. However, an accurate determination of the nutrient content of a soil is only possible after taking a soil sample to the laboratory. Such tests are performed by District Chemical and Agricultural Stations.
A thorough soil examination is necessary when we observe symptoms of macro- and micronutrient deficiency, resulting in worse plant growth, lower yields, and plant incidence of various physiological diseases.Unfortunately, as shown by the conducted research, in the area of most allotment gardens there are various irregularities in soil fertility, mainly due to errors in fertilization. One of the basic mistakes made by amateur gardeners is liming the soil too much, leading to an excessive increase in pH, and since liming is usually done with magnesium lime, it also involves introducing too much magnesium into the soil. In such a situation, it is difficult for plants to extract other nutrients from the soil.
