Hey everyone! I'm really eager to start my first in-ground garden after having some success with a container garden last year. However, before I dive in, I'm wondering if I should get my soil tested first. I live in southern New Jersey, where the soil is often sandy and possibly low in nutrients. I've read that even if you're no expert, people advise just going for it, but I'm on a budget and limited on time this year. I want to ensure that I'm not wasting my efforts if the soil is poor quality. The local extension office can help me with testing, but is it really worth it? Should I prepare the ground first and see what happens, or is it better to get that test to know what I'm dealing with?
3 Answers
Soil testing is important, but if you're in an area known for sandy soils and you're itching to plant this season, go ahead and add lots of compost! Just keep an eye on your plants for any nutrient deficiencies as they grow. It can take a while to build up good soil health, but a solid mix of compost can get you on the right track, and you can always refine your soil with tests later on. Good luck with your garden!
Definitely get a soil test! It will give you important info like the pH levels and nutrient content. Knowing your soil pH is crucial, especially if you want to grow veggies that have specific needs. For instance, veggies prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, but if you’re thinking about growing acid-loving plants like blueberries, those have different requirements. Plus, even if your soil seems sandy now, it might have hidden nutrients from past lawn treatments. Instead of just adding compost blindly, having the test results will really help tailor your soil amendments to what it actually needs!
Thanks for the info! Maybe I could get away with just testing the pH and seeing how my plants respond to evaluate nutrient needs. The full test is a little pricey ?
Sandy soil is usually safe for planting. You really just want to check if there’s any clay present, as it can affect drainage. If the soil drains well, you should be fine to plant. Just avoid spots with heavy clay; that’s where growth becomes tricky. Besides, if your location already has sandy coastal plains, you might have great drainage for your plants!
Yea it’s mostly sandy coastal plains down here, some areas have bands of marl. I work in construction and it’s fun to find the green marl in our digs, won’t be so fun if I have to deal with it.
Thanks!