PARKERSBURG - The "Do It Yourself" movement has moved across America and more people are repairing their houses, growing their own food and taking care of their own lawn.
The West Virginia University Soil Test is an important tool Wood County homeowners, gardeners and farmers can utilize to add the correct amount of fertilizer and lime to their soil to produce a great lawn, garden or crop in the field, said J.J. Barrett, agriculture agent for WVU Extension in Wood County.
"Soil testing is a free service provided by the West Virginia University Soil Testing Laboratory,'' he said. ''As the Wood County Agriculture Extension Agent, I assist people in interpreting soil results and explain how to take accurate samples."
Sample kits can be obtained from the Wood County WVU Extension Office (304-424-1960) on the fourth floor of the Wood County Courthouse.
''I highly recommend using the WVU Soil Lab for soil testing,'' Barrett said. ''Home kits are not nearly as reliable as a source of information.''
Getting soil for the sample is not complicated. A property owner can collect a thin slice of soil from the top four inches of several well-spaced, representative spots in the garden. The person then mixes them together in a clean plastic pail and let air dry. People should never dry the soil in an oven or microwave oven. People then can fill the test bag with soil from the pail and mail it to the WVU Soils Lab.
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Sample kits can be obtained from the Wood County WVU Extension Office (304-424-1960) on the fourth floor of the Wood County Courthouse.
People can contact the extension office and receive a copy of the WVU Fact Sheets "Interpreting the West Virginia Soil Test Report" and "How to Take a Good Soil Sample."
"The WVU Soils lab analyzes over 10,000 samples a year, and the results are much more accurate than home kits,'' said Jim Goreman, Supervisor of the Soil Testing Laboratory. ''We do a lot of hay, pasture and gardens. However, over the last 3-4 years, a big trend we have seen is a large increase in the number of food plots for deer that the soil is being tested."
The biggest problem home gardeners encounter is over fertilized soils, Barrett said.
"The salt content becomes toxic to plants, and they have problems taking up nutrients, especially water,'' he said. ''Home gardeners also need to be cautious about using wood ashes. A little is good, but too much will keep raising the pH of the soil."
Vegetable plants require certain amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to produce high yields. Some of these nutrients occur naturally in the soil, but most gardens require organic matter and fertilizer to build soil fertility.
''If you don't get a soil test, your garden plan has omitted a vital step,'' Barrett said. ''It is best to test soils in the fall, but it is never too late.
''Your vegetable garden might produce higher yields if it is limed and fertilized properly. The only accurate way to determine how much lime and/or fertilizer to apply is to have your soil tested.''
Now is a good time to soil test a garden, lawn or agricultural crop fields. Once people can find out what their soil is lacking, fall is a great time to add soil amendments.
Soil testing is the easiest and most reliable method of assessing a soil's nutrient status, Barrett said. It provides a basis for recommending the correct amount of lime and fertilizer to apply for crops and pastures. Soil testing also allows an expert to predict the probability of obtaining a yield or growth response to lime and fertilizer application.
''Soil testing takes the guesswork out of fertilization and is extremely cost effective,'' Barrett said. ''It also eliminates over-usage of fertilizers, hence helping to protect the environment. Don't spend money on fertilizer you don't need.''
People need to be sure to indicate on the soil test questionnaires sheet that the crop is for a vegetable garden, agricultural crop field or a lawn. Participants will receive a recommendation sheet suggesting how much, if any, lime and/or fertilizer to apply, and other pertinent information. Spread the lime well ahead of planting time (preferably in the fall), and broadcast the fertilizer just before plowing the garden.
When people receive their soil test results, one of the most important pieces of information is the soil pH, Barrett said. This indicates whether the soil is the acidic (sour) or alkaline (sweet).
Most plants ( except for blueberries, rhododendrons and azaleas) want a neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. in general, acid soils prevent plants from taking up soil nutrients, even when adequate nutrients are present.
''If so, you need to correct the problem by applying lime,'' Barrett said. ''Too much lime, however, often creates problems similar to having too little lime. Lime doesn't become fully effective until several weeks or even months after application.''
The soil test results will also give someone results of how much phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium is in the soil, he said adding it will give recommendations of how much of each nutrient is needed.
''I am asked frequently, 'How do I improve my clay soils,' common to soils here in West Virginia,'' Barrett said. ''The answer is simple: organic matter.
''Clay soils are usually fertile and full of nutrients, but the soil particles are tight, leading to poor drainage and air flow. Livestock manures, compost, leaves mulch and green manure crops (cover crops like cereal rye buckwheat, and hairy vetch) help add organic matter to clay soils and make them more productive.''
Building raised beds can really help when working with clay soils for growing vegetables and flowers. They improve drainage problems and allow the soil to warm up earlier in the spring.
Soil Test kits are available from the WVU Wood County Extension Office. The only charge is to mail your soil sample to Morgantown to have it processed. Surrounding states charge to have samples processed. The WVU Soil Testing Laboratory still conducts tests for free for the basic tests.
More information about soil testing can be found online at or people can contact the extension office and receive a copy of the WVU Fact Sheets "Interpreting the West Virginia Soil Test Report and "How to Take a Good Soil Sample."
