| Here is why it is necessary that you know the soil pH, the nitrogen,
phosphorus and potash content in your soil.
pH - Soil pH is the factor which determines whether or not plants are able to consume nutrients. If the pH is too high or too low, nutrients in the soil "lock up", become unabsorbable by the plants, thus fertilizer not only goes to waste, but your plants literally starve to death. NITROGEN - (1st number in fertilizer analysis - N) Adequate nitrogen produces luxuriant growth of stalks, stems, leaves, and grasses. Excessive nitrogen causes too rapid growth that results in softness of tissue and general plant weakness. Plants suffering from nitrogen deficiency are more susceptible to disease, infection, and injury. Plants given too much nitrogen resume active vegetable ("green") growth which retards flower and seed formation. PHOSPHORUS - (2nd number in fertilizer analysis - P) Phosphorus gives plants a rapid start, stimulates root formation, hastens maturation, aids blooming and seed formation. POTASH (POTASSIUM) - (3 number in fertilizer analysis - K) Proper amounts of potash stimulate early root or tuber formation which is essential for all underground vegetables and tuberous flowers. Excessive potash reduces a plant's resistance to droughts and frost injury and delays plant maturity. HOW TO GATHER SOIL SAMPLE - Gather a soil sample from two to three inches below the surface using a clean instrument such as a soil sampler, trowel or spoon. Since test results are sensitive to external factors such as ashes, never smoke while gathering or testing your soil and avoid touching the sample with your hands. Put samples in clean containers (such as ziploc bags) and label according to which part of the garden they were gathered from. Samples should be taken from various areas, especially when there is a change in the elevation of the land or where there might be a variation in the soil (a particularly sunny spot, an area beneath a tree, a part of your garden that has been under cultivation, or low-lying areas which collect water). It is best to take samples from each corner and the center of the plot in any case. The soil should not be too wet. If it is not dry enough to walk on, allow it to air dry naturally rather than over direct heat. Remove solids and debris such as stones and pieces of wood WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SOIL. Crumble soil as finely as possible. This is easily accomplished by putting the sample in a plastic bag. Your sample is now ready for testing. Bring these samples to Farmers & Planters Co. where we can test the Ph at no charge or it can be lab tested for a minimum fee of just $10.00. With a properly fertilized lawn and/or garden, with the soil adjusted
to the correct pH level, you should have little proble m growing beautiful flowers, the juiciest, most nutritious vegetables, or the thickest, greenest lawn in town. |
||||||||