Test Soil For Health

Horticultural firms tempt us with new seeds, roses, trees and shrubs for the landscape each year. These new introductions represent years of growing, testing, selecting and discarding. The end result of this activity however, promises better plants for the home landscape and garden.

It is only natural therefore, that any gardening enthusiast should feel a twinge of disappointment now and then when his plantings do not quite come up to his expectations. Fortunately, however, missing the peak of perfection, or even the point of satisfaction, does not mean that you do not really have a green thumb. It probably means that you forgot to test the quality of your soil before you planted.

The soil has many elements of which three:

• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potash

… are most essential for plant growth. Because these three are so very important to plants they are also the ones which are most rapidly drawn from the soil. Furthermore, each plant draws upon each element in varying amounts.

NITROGEN is essential for dark green foliage and active growth. However, too much nitrogen causes too rapid growth, softness of the tissue and general weakness of the plant. Excessive nitrogen also retards flowering.

PHOSPHORUS compounds are especially necessary in plants that produce flowers. They promote germination of seed, stimulate early root formation and general plant vigor.

POTASH is important to plants in the manufacture of starch, sugar and other carbohydrates. Its proper use results in plants with stiff stalks and healthy disease resistant growth. However, excessive potash tends to increase the water content of plants and thus reduce their resistance to drought.

Test your soil at the beginning of the season and twice during the growing period. By doing this you can maintain the vitality of your garden and get a bumper crop every time.

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Soil pH Testing for Better Growing and Yields
• Soil Testing – What’s Your Soil Flavor?
• Garden Insurance with PH Soil Testing
• Soil Testing Starts with pH