Soil testing for backyard vegetable garden?

[Trisha]

My husband and I are planning to plant some vegetables in a small garden in our backyard. Originally we were going to do raised beds with all new soil, but as we have been working in the back yard, we started thinking that maybe we could just use the soil we currently have. Based on the number of earthworms we see, and our yard’s ability to grow very impressive and robust weeds, it seems like our soil is pretty good.

Does anyone have any suggestions for who to use to get the soil tested before we plant? Do we even need to do that? Any concerns we should know about? I searched the forums and only saw something about arsenic, but nothing about more general testing.

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[Genesee Hill]

I moved into my house in 1996 and have grown a vegetable garden every year. I never had the soil tested, nor have I ever regretted not having the soil tested. I am still alive. The previous owner used the garden many years prior to me and she is well into her eighties.

In my humble opinion, you do not need to test the soil, unless you want to know the exact ph level. Most vegetables grow well in West Seattle gardens.

Tomatoes need direct sun and warmth (south facing). Corn likewise. Lettuce and the cole crops definitely don’t need as much heat but do like sunny areas.

Go for it!

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[Tracy]

If you do wish to soil test, my garden advisor says to use the Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory on the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/

It’s not that expensive, and apparently worth it, although I have yet to do it (it’s on my list…)

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