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| Properly testing your soil is the most important step in establishing a food plot or any other planting. Soil testing will show you what your PH is as well as what nutrients are available in your soil. This will provide you with the information you will need to alter your PH and determine how much fertilizer you need to grow your crop. Gather your soil from the root zone which is 2” - 6” below the surface. Samples should be taken from several different areas in the food plot. Be sure to include samples from the top of any hill, the bottom of the hill, as well as in between. Also include samples from any areas that look different like areas with different plants and areas where the plants are shorter than in surrounding areas. Do not smoke as any ashes will contaminate your soil by raising the ph and potassium measurements. You should also minimize hand contact with the soil sample as even clean hands can change the outcome of the test. Remove stones and other debris, and allow it to dry naturally in a warm area. Do not use a metal container as it may also contaminate the sample. Mix the samples and break up any clumps in a clean plastic container. Your sample is now ready to be tested. |
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