Testing soil fertility and other aspects is the foremost procedure in attaining a healthy lawn. When one or a series of tests are done on a soil sample purposely to determine its properties, the practice is referred to as soil testing. A single property may be targeted in sample testing. The target may be pH level or other qualities. If the purpose is to determine various qualities, then multiple tests are conducted. When in need of Soil Testing Ventura County should be visited.
Samples are tested to determine, biological, physical, and/or chemical properties. Chemical analysis is meant to determine the content of basic plant nutrients. Such nutrients include phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, humus content, pH level, and available lime. Other contents measured include total CaCO3, total sulphur, trace elements, and organic matter. Physical properties that the analysis intends to determine include density, permeability, and capacity. All these substances are important for the health of plants once they are grown in the ground.
The analysis process involved a number of steps, starting with the collection of samples. The samples are then taken to local cooperative extension offices for analysis. One may also take the samples to some garden centers or independent laboratories. This process usually costs cheaply at about ten dollars per sample. It takes a few days for one to receive the results back after sending a sample.
Sample collection must be done using a pint, shovel, and sampling tube. The sample collector must dig to about 4 and 6 inches deep and take the samples by use of a sampling tube. Six to five samples are to be collected from an area. Sample collection can be achieved in several ways. A person can observe the linear or zigzag methods of collecting samples.
After sampling, the sample should be cleared of any debris, thatch, or grass. All samples should then be mixed thoroughly together. The mixing should be done in a plastic bucket. From the mixture of samples, one should draw one pint of soil. The pint of soil should then be placed on a flat surface and placed in the sun to dry. Other means of air drying can also be used to remove moisture from the sample.
Laboratories prefer dry samples and that is the purpose of air drying. Besides, additional microorganism activity that can alter sample properties is eliminated through air drying. Without air drying, test outcomes emerging from those samples may fail to represent the exact soil conditions in the field. Microorganism activity in the sample may also be brought to halt through freezing.
Before taking to the laboratory, proper labeling of each pint of sample collected is essential. The name of a person may be used as the label before sending the sample to be examined in a laboratory. After a few days, one should expect to receive the outcomes along with a detailed analysis.
Based on the results of the analysis, one can know the kind of fertilizer they need to apply in their field for better crop yield or lawn performance. If pH level is out of balance, it should be restored before growing of lawn or plants can be done. This is a better approach to healthy and easy to maintain lawns.
Samples are tested to determine, biological, physical, and/or chemical properties. Chemical analysis is meant to determine the content of basic plant nutrients. Such nutrients include phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, humus content, pH level, and available lime. Other contents measured include total CaCO3, total sulphur, trace elements, and organic matter. Physical properties that the analysis intends to determine include density, permeability, and capacity. All these substances are important for the health of plants once they are grown in the ground.
The analysis process involved a number of steps, starting with the collection of samples. The samples are then taken to local cooperative extension offices for analysis. One may also take the samples to some garden centers or independent laboratories. This process usually costs cheaply at about ten dollars per sample. It takes a few days for one to receive the results back after sending a sample.
Sample collection must be done using a pint, shovel, and sampling tube. The sample collector must dig to about 4 and 6 inches deep and take the samples by use of a sampling tube. Six to five samples are to be collected from an area. Sample collection can be achieved in several ways. A person can observe the linear or zigzag methods of collecting samples.
After sampling, the sample should be cleared of any debris, thatch, or grass. All samples should then be mixed thoroughly together. The mixing should be done in a plastic bucket. From the mixture of samples, one should draw one pint of soil. The pint of soil should then be placed on a flat surface and placed in the sun to dry. Other means of air drying can also be used to remove moisture from the sample.
Laboratories prefer dry samples and that is the purpose of air drying. Besides, additional microorganism activity that can alter sample properties is eliminated through air drying. Without air drying, test outcomes emerging from those samples may fail to represent the exact soil conditions in the field. Microorganism activity in the sample may also be brought to halt through freezing.
Before taking to the laboratory, proper labeling of each pint of sample collected is essential. The name of a person may be used as the label before sending the sample to be examined in a laboratory. After a few days, one should expect to receive the outcomes along with a detailed analysis.
Based on the results of the analysis, one can know the kind of fertilizer they need to apply in their field for better crop yield or lawn performance. If pH level is out of balance, it should be restored before growing of lawn or plants can be done. This is a better approach to healthy and easy to maintain lawns.
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