Benefits of Soil Testing
There are many things a grower is supposed to do to ensure high yields, but soil testing is on the top list. Without the proper knowledge of your soil type, you can easily make mistakes and waste a lot of time trying to plant the wrong crops. Some people think that soil testing is a difficult task, but it should not be. You can hire a professional to test your soil. In this article, we are going to discuss the importance of soil testing. Read on.
PH Levels
You must be aware of the PH level of your soil. It will help you determine the type of nutrients which will be absorbed in the soil. Plants require nutrients to grow healthy and fast. Many soils have the right nutrients, yet plants won’t do well in them. It is because the PH levels are either too high or low, such that the plants cannot absorb the nutrients. Majority of crops will do well if the PH levels of the soil is 6.0 to 6.5.
Toxic Metals
Soils and especially in urban areas tend to have high levels of toxic metals. If you want to start using your open land, your crops might never do well. Before planting anything in that soil, make sure to carry out a soil test. Off course we have good metals like zinc, magnesium, iron, and manganese, but if your soil contains cadmium, arsenic, and lead, you are in for trouble. Such metals are not suitable for animal or plant consumption.
Some people think that only soils in areas with industrial waste contain the harmful metals. This is not the case. Some open lands have a lot of garbage from children toys. Some of these toys are made of wood but treated with harmful metals. Once dumped on your ground, the soil will retain the toxic metals. Irrespective of the location of your piece land, carry out a metal test.
Nutrient Levels
The third important thing from soil testing is nutrients. All soil tests will tell you how much of nutrients your soil is carrying. Plants need nutrients to grow hence your soil must have the right nutrients. Potassium, calcium, nitrogen, zinc, phosphorous, nickel and Sulphur are examples of nutrients in the soil. Some are important than others, and different plants will require different nutrients to thrive.