By Amanda Sears
Extension Agent
RICHMOND —
Soil testing is a very important whether you have a garden, work do your own landscaping, or if you own a farm. It allows the homeowner or producer to know exactly what supplements, such as fertilizer and lime, are needed.
The Madison County Extension District Board, Tri-County Fertilizer and Propane, Southern States of Richmond, and The Allen Company, have teamed up to offer Free Soil Testing during the months of September, October and November at the Madison County Extension Office. The normal $6 per sample charge will be waived.
Both agricultural and horticultural samples from Madison County residents will be accepted. Remember, we need at least two cups of soil to run a test. There is a 10-sample limit per farm or home.
Fall is a great time to get a soil test. Turnaround time at the University of Kentucky laboratories is faster this time of year because of lower demand during. Also, if your pH is too high or low, you have time before spring planting to amend it.
Soil testing is easy. See the links below for more details of how to gather your soil, or you may contact our office and we will answer your questions.
Once you have your soil, bring it in to our office. Our staff will ask a few questions and put your sample in a special bag, Then it will be sent to UK to be analyzed. About seven to 10 days later, our office will receive the results. Depending on what type of sample it is, either the agriculture or horticulture agent will explain the results and recommend what you may need to do to prepare your soil.
The analysis also will be sent to you by mail.
For more details about this service for Madison County residents or to receive by mail a publication explaining soil testing, please call 623-4072.
Publications also can be obtained online at: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr57/agr57.htm and http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr16/agr16.pdf
Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Any person who believes they have been discriminated against in any Cooperative Extension Service sponsored activity or program may file a complaint with the Secretary of Agriculture by writing to: USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination.
