Explanation of Soil Test Report Form
 "Sample ID" (such as for a lawn or garden) This is information
you provided upon submitting your soil sample. The fertilizer suggestions are based on
this, so be sure it is correct. [back to form]
 "Ratings"
indicates how high or low your soil is considered in each category. [back to form]
 "pHs"
indicates how acid or alkaline your soil is considered. Most lawns like a pHs of around
6.5, but grow well from pHs 6.0 to 7.0. Vegetables and flowers grow best from 6.5 to 7.5,
but there are wide ranges of tolerance. [back to form]
 "Phosphorus,
potassium, calcium, and magnesium" are listed on the next four lines and
show the level of nutrients in your soil in pounds per acre (a historical convention from
when soil tests were primarily for commercial growers). The numbers have little meaning
for most homeowners. The ratings, however, indicate if these nutrients are considered low
or high for your soil. [back to form]
 "Organic
Matter" is the percent of organic matter found in your sample. As it decays
organic matter provides nutrients and humus, which helps soil hold nutrients and water.
Organic matter levels between 1% and 3% are fine for lawns, but 4% to 6 % is better for
vegetables or flowers. The rest of the information on this line means little to you, but
is used by the soil lab to determine factors about your soil. [back
to form]
 "Fertilizer
and Limestone Suggestions" indicates how much nitrogen, phosphate, potash
(potassium), and lime your soil needs. This is the most important part of the report for
home gardeners. The rates are in pounds needed per 1000 square feet. See the back
of this page for more information about fertilizers and how to apply them. [back to form]
 The soil
test finishes with notes about the soil test in general, and below the dashed line, notes
with specific recommendations for your soil.[back to form]
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