Extension Report

Baldwin County Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5611 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Mike McQueen

Regional Extension Agent

Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests

December 8, 2009

Get Growing: Preparing Your Soil for Spring Gardening

As the leaves and temperatures continue to fall there is no mistaking that winter is on the way. Don’t put down your shovel and grab that mug of hot chocolate just yet though. Fall and early winter provide the gardener with the perfect opportunity to prepare the lawn and garden for the upcoming spring.

One of the most critical parts of any garden, whether you are growing roses or turnips or just trying to maintain a beautiful lawn, is the soil. A well maintained “healthy” soil is the first step to successful gardening. So how do you determine the health of your soil? Have it tested! A soil test will determine the pH and fertility of your soil. Just as regular check-ups are important for your health, it is important to have your soil tested once every three years to ensure that you are properly maintaining it. Everything you need to submit a soil sample is available at your local Extension office.

Remember when collecting a soil sample that every square foot of soil can be different so it is essential to take a composite sample. A composite sample is a collection of 15 to 20 uniform cores of soil taken from random spots in the garden, lawn, or shrub bed. After collecting the samples for a given area you should place them in a clean bucket and mix thoroughly. Place about 1 pint of the mixed soil into the soil sample box. In a garden, take the core samples from the depth the soil was tilled. In a lawn, take the core sample from 2 to 3 inches deep at 15 to 20 spots. Submit separate samples from the front lawn, back lawn, and other areas where soil may differ or where different types of grasses are grown. Be sure to fill in all the information on the soil sample box and information sheet as completely as possible. It is very important that you list the plants that are or will be growing in the soil you are having tested. The cost for soil testing is $7.00 per sample and once your sample arrives at the lab it takes 3 to 7 days to process. For each soil sample you submit to the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory, you will receive a report that will include soil test results, and fertilizer recommendations.

Soil pH directly affects the nutrients available to plants and it is the most important analysis from the soil test for the homeowner. The pH of a soil is a measure of the soil’s acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 7.0 is neutral, below 7.0 is acidic, and above 7.0 is alkaline. The optimum pH varies depending on the plants being grown. For example, most garden plants and lawn grasses do best in a slightly acid soil (pH 6.0 to 7.0). On the other hand, azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias, hydrangeas, and blueberries grow best in a very acid soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5). In Alabama, most of our soils are acidic and liming is often necessary in gardens and lawns. Because of the length of time and amount of moisture needed for the lime-soil reaction to raise the pH the fall is the perfect time of year to have your soil tested and begin preparing it for next year’s activities.

When applying lime keep in mind that the most important factor determining its effectiveness is placement. Incorporation of lime into the soil is essential because most liming materials are only slightly soluble in water and travel very slowly through the soil. Moisture is essential for the lime-soil reaction to occur so a summer liming application can be very ineffective. Lime can only be surface applied on already established lawns and if rain is not in the forecast be sure to water it into the soil.

Maintaining an optimum pH will make your fertilizer applications more effective and go a long way in giving you the prettiest yard on the street or the best tasting garden treats!

More information on soil tests can be found in Extension publications ANR -6-B and ANR-388.   These publications are available at your local Extension office or can be found at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website at www.aces.edu .

Email address: mcquegj@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.