The Soil Analysis that Finally Happened!

I planned on doing soil testing for probably the last five years.

I thought it would be fun to see what came back. So this year, with the excuse of a new garden space and how important it is to check your soil for any dangerous components (read: lead), I purchased the plastic bottle and instructions for sending in a soil sample to the extension office at Colorado State University.

I picked up the kit at Tagawa's this winter and sent it in this spring. You basically collect bits of soil from different parts of the garden bed, mix it all up, make sure it is dry, and mail it in. You also have a form to fill out with history of the area, planned use, and any amendments that have been done or are planned.

I was shocked when my soil report arrived in my email inbox. I'm not sure why, I guess I just assumed I'd get a report via snail mail. I took some screen shots of the pertinent information I received, mainly pH, texture, organic material, and minerals.

My take away was we have a slightly high pH, and I probably shouldn't have dumped more compost onto this patch of soil.

Oops.

I also wish I had done this with our first garden, it would have been interesting to see the difference and help guide soil building.

If I plan any in-ground beds in the future, I will test the soil versus taking a stab in the dark with amendments.

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