"Tony Sivori" wrote in message
news
Sunflower wrote:

What does your soil test tell you about the magnesium level of your
soil? Without knowing that, you shouldn't be applying epsom salts at
all. Many areas of the country already have almost toxic proportions of
magnesium present in the soil, and continually adding more will end up
poisoning the plants and the soil.

Where can I get a soil test? Does Home Depot sell them and how much are
they?

--
Tony Sivori


Any kind of do it yourself test on soil other than pH is extremely
unreliable. Your local county agricultural extension service provides
testing for cheap or free as part of the things you purchase with your tax
dollars. (Unless you are willing to pay a soil testing company about $20 to
do the same thing.) Why do you think farmers have been using the extension
service for years? They have to know what's in their soil in order to make
a living, and it's money out of their profits if they apply too much or not
enough of any of the plant's needed nutrients.. Follow the extension
service's recommendations, and test several areas of your yard. 1.
Completely unamended soil, like was there before you ever did a thing. 2. A
well amended garden bed. 3. Your lawn. Testing these 3 at a minimum will
give you an idea of what your naitive soil is composed of, as well as what
your garden beds have become, and testing the lawn is a must if you actually
want to grow grass successfully. The extension service can give you the
recommended amendments in either chemical or organic components, or a mix of
both, whatever your personal philosophy might be.