LIMA — According to the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District, there is no better time to test your soil than the fall.
To collect soil samples, gather soil from 10 to 12 spots in a yard or garden. For lawns, dig three inches deep; for gardens, at least eight inches. Combine the samples in a container, break apart clumps, and mix well. Take one cup of the mixed soil and place it in a Ziploc bag, along with the completed form and payment, for the soil test lab.
“Soil testing is especially essential if fertilizer is used. Over-fertilizing is so easy to do that many (people) don’t give it much thought when applying it,” according to the press release.
An abundance of fertilizer can be washed into rivers, leading to algae problems and poor water quality.
The ASWCD encourages sending samples to the Penn State soils laboratory. Soil test forms can be picked up at the ASWCD, downloaded from https://shorturl.at/XtGbE, or mailed by request.
For more information, contact Casey Heilman, district administrator, at 419-222-0846, ext. 1002.
