Test Your Soil in the Fall
Author Ellen Vande Visse
Download a PDF Copy of This ArticleTest your Soil In The Fall
Autumn is an Ideal Time
Get a jump on spring. Do a soil test in the autumn.
September is a great time to find out what nutrients your soil needs for the next growing season. Why?
Here’s how to collect a sample.
Collect representative samples of your soil from several areas in the garden/field in a clean container. Mix well. Then extract 2 cups and place in a labeled Ziploc bag or a bag provided by your lab of choice. Be sure to state on the written form that you want recommendations for non-certified organic or sustainable growing. If you can, specify which organic fertilizers for NPK you’ll be using. (This website gives you a list of organic amendments available in South Central Alaska area.)
For a list of labs I recommend, see OG Soil Test Services 2020