The Soil test results

The soil test results came back from the lab. That was fast!! Only took about 2 weeks. So, this soil sample is our existing dirt, prior to any amendment. The soil itself is pretty clay-y. It dries to a dark gray dust. It seems to be totally devoid of organic material, but there are loads of worms, so it can't be all bad.

So, as my little pH tester wand said, the soil is close to 7, which is officially "neutral", but really too alkaline for berries and borderline too alkaline for vegetables. The compost we will add to the vegetable beds should take care of the alkalinity there, since the compost is close to a pH of 6. For the strawberries and raspberries, I will mulch with pine needles from the back 40 and work on amending the soil further at the end of the season.

The tests also show that we are low on nitrogen and phosphorus. This makes sense since our problems last year were yellowing foliage and lack of much fruit. The low nitrogen would cause the yellowing foliage and the low phosphorus causes weak plants and poor fruit. I'm hoping the compost will add sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus, but I will add bone mean (phosphorus) just to be sure.

Decent amounts of potassium and plenty of calcium, as well as low lead levels.