Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful farm.
Testing your soil doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Here’s how you can check your soil health today:
- The Jar Test:
- Take a handful of soil from your field.
- Place it into a jar filled with water.
- Shake well and let it sit overnight.
- The layers of sand, silt, and clay will separate — this tells you the soil composition.
- Worm Count:
- Healthy soil has worms!
- Dig a 30cm x 30cm patch and count the earthworms you see.
- More than 10 worms = great soil health.
- pH Testing Kits:
- Available at farming stores.
- pH between 6 and 7 is ideal for most crops.
Tips to Improve Soil Health:
- Rotate crops yearly.
- Add organic compost regularly.
- Minimize chemical use and tilling.
Healthy soil grows healthy profits!