Soil Tests

Extension Master Gardeners often recommend that your first step in working with your garden is to get a soil test before you add amendments to the soil.

Get the facts then feed your plants: Testing your soil is the only way to determine if phosphorus, potassium, calcium or magnesium are in short supply or if a pH adjustment is needed. Without a soil test, any application of fertilizer could be detrimental to the landscape.  You will need one test kit for each area of your garden, for instance lawn, vegetable garden or acid-loving shrubs.

Soil Test Supplies and Locations

Soil Test Supplies and Locations:

Fairlington Community Center, 3308 South Stafford St, Arlington

• On a shelf, just inside the front door
• A box on fence of the Small Space Garden located in the back (near the basketball court)

Alexandria Cooperative Extension, Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Alexandria:

• Del Ray Farmhouse Market & Garden, 1913 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
• Greenstreet Gardens, 1721 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302

Arlington:     

• Ayers Hardware, 5853 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205
• Bill’s Ace Hardware, 2213 N Buchanan St, Arlington, VA 22207
• Cherrydale Hardware, 3805 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22207

Plant Clinics – Check link to see hours

• Arlington Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings
• Central Library – Wednesday Evenings
• Fairlington Farmers Market – Sunday Mornings
• Alexandria Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings
• Del Ray Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings

How & Why to Test Your Soil

This short video from Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture features Kirsten Conrad, Agriculture Natural Resource Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, on how & why to test your soil.

Mail your samples to the Virginia Tech Soil Testing lab using the address on the form that accompanies the container:
Information Sheet for Home Lawns, Gardens, Fruit, and Ornamentals #452-125

Allow 2 weeks for results to be returned via email.

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Envíe sus muestras al laboratorio de pruebas de suelo de Virginia Tech utilizando la dirección que figura en la hoja de información de muestras de suelo que acompaña al contenedor:
Forma para el Muestreo de Suelos de Céspedes, Jardines, Frutas y Ornamentales en el Hogar #452-125S 

Espere 2 semanas para que los resultados lleguen por correo electrónico.