The question I receive most frequently from vegetable gardeners: How much fertilizer should I apply? The second most frequently asked question: How can I get better vegetable yields in my garden? Both ...

Fall testing is ideal because it gives you plenty of time to get results back from the lab and to begin improving your soil before planting.

Soil is a key ingredient in any backyard garden, so it’s important to make sure it’s the healthiest it can be. That’s why longtime gardeners – and soil science experts – recommend testing. Knowing the ...

Sandy loam? Loamy soil? There are many terms to describe the ground under your feet. Here's how to determine the composition ...

To have our best gardens, we need to know our soil. A soil test is the single best piece of information you can obtain for your garden. Here’s my soil test as an example, and what kind of ...

Home soil testing kits easily read the pH and nutrient levels of the sample, but they can differ greatly from more precise ...

Spring is just around the corner, and enthusiastic gardeners are already plotting to get their gardens in shape for the growing season. From soil to sunshine, it all takes planning. Whether you’re new ...

Urban soils are particularly prone to contamination. 50 years ago, your yard could have belonged to a farmer, who, perhaps not knowing any better, disposed of old bottles of anti-freeze or ...

Getting your garden ready for fall and winter is key to ensuring healthy soil and a strong start next spring. To prepare your ...

The end of March is the beginning of the main planting season here in southcentral Pennsylvania, a time when it’s fine to start planting most trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennial flowers. Read ...

Both of the local soil testing labs mentioned above provide soil test results, along with interpretations that can be used to estimate appropriate fertilizer application amounts. If you are wondering ...