Soil Testing Provides Info on Acidity and Nutrients For Your Vegetable Garden

Plants require healthy soil with proper nutrition to produce an abundant crop and to better withstand pests and diseases.
Knowing the fertility of your soil before planting is a proactive way to grow quality crops that are worthy of your time and effort.
Soil is composed of four basic components: mineral solids, water, air and organic material, in the form of decomposed plant matter, bacteria, earthworms, fungi, arthropods and other organisms that support healthy growth and protect your plants from pests and disease.
Soil acidity and nutrient levels influence the types of organisms present in your garden.
A pH test determines the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, which in turn influences the availability of specific nutrients. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. Anything above 7.0 is alkaline, or sweet, and anything below 7.0 is acidic, or sour.
Native soils in our area are generally acidic (pH of 4.8-5.5) and often require the addition of lime to raise the pH above 6.0.
Most vegetables grow well in soil levels with a pH of 6.0 to 7.4.
Potatoes do well with a pH of 5.5; and blueberries prefer an even greater acidity, as low as 4.5.
Contact your county Cooperative Extension for information on pH tests, which they will perform for you at a nominal cost. They will instruct you on how to properly gather a representative sample of garden soil and will provide results along with specific recommendations to amend your soil if necessary. If you wish to receive a more detailed analysis of your soil nutrients, or are concerned about lead or other contaminants, Cooperative Extension offices can direct you to appropriate soil testing services.

Mary Lukens, master gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland