RE: Soil testing the fields
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You can check with your local extension office for a lab run soil test kit. We get them from ours and send off to get the exact numbers back. It costs but can be well worth it. I did that when I first got my garden going and it helped inform my soil additions the past years. The color match kits are okay for regular testing for general levels but I find there nothing like cold hard data in my hands.
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Solid advice!
I was wondering if it is a good practice to take several tests from different locations within the acreage that will be used for growing.
Also whether frost heave can effect the tests if they are done during the cold season.
Yeah the instructions are if submitting one sample then combine the various samples into one to get a general results but it is best to submit individual samples from various areas. If a square garden 5 would be a good test of each side and in the middle. The frost probably wouldn't be too much of a problem other than the wet soil when it defrosts or digging the hard soil. This article says it is possible in Alberta.
That makes sense. Thanks!
Oh cool I will look into submitting a soil sample to get it tested.. I figured it would be more ballpark with these basic tests so if I can test it by the county that would be great.