Separate tests should be done for specific types of plantings such as established lawns, perennial flowers, a new annual flowerbed, or a vegetable garden. Each soil test kit contains an information sheet describing how to sample the soil, a questionnaire on the type of planting existing or planned, and a soil-mailing bag. In addition to phosphorus and potassium, a soil report provides levels for nutrients such as zinc, copper, manganese and boron. Additional tests can be conducted on soil such as organic matter content, soluble salt levels, topsoil evaluation, and lead screening. More than 7,000 soil tests were conducted last year by the lab.
Soil testing is an environmentally responsible practice.
The improper application of fertilizer or other nutrient sources can lead to nitrate or phosphorus contamination of our water resources. To purchase a soil testing kit, call your county Rutgers Cooperative Extension office listed under county government in the telephone book blue pages.