Garden soil
Range of services: Garden soil
- Basic nutrient analysis (macronutrients P, K, Mg; Soil type according to finger sample, pH value)
- Trace/micronutrients (Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Na)
- Humus content, total N content, C/N ratio
- Lime content
- Salt content/electrical conductivity
- Grain size distribution and soil type
- Physical soil analysis (bulk density, dry space density, water capacity, water retention capacity)
- Pollutant analysis (pesticides, dioxins, PCBs, PFAS, heavy metals)
- Cation exchange capacity
- Microbial biomass
- Radionuclides
Frequently asked questions
What type of soil analysis is useful in a home garden?
For a basic characterization of a home garden, it is usually sufficient to test the basic nutrients (pH, P2O5, K2O, Mg). It makes sense to extend the analysis to include the humus and total nitrogen content, as well as the boron content for vegetables. These tests are also listed on the order form (see below).
If there is a suspicion of pollutant contamination, an additional analysis of the heavy metal content is recommended.
When should a soil analysis be carried out in the home garden?
The nutrient supply of the garden soil should be checked when planting a new bed and then regularly, e.g. every 4 years, by means of a soil analysis. The best time of year is late fall, when all the beds have been cleared. The sample should be taken before the fall tillage. Samples can also be taken in early spring. Fertilizer should not be applied beforehand.
What should be considered when taking soil samples in home gardens?
Sampling can be carried out with a spade, for example. The sampling depth should correspond to the cultivation depth of 20-25 cm in the kitchen garden and 10-15 cm in the lawn. For permanent crops, an additional sample can be taken from the subsoil. At the sampling point, a spadeful is first lifted out and discarded. When taking the sample, a smooth penetration point should be created. Then a slice about 2 cm thick is cut vertically from this “wall” according to the sampling depth and removed. The top 1-2 cm of the slice is discarded. The remaining slice is poured into the bucket provided. In order to obtain a representative picture of your garden soil, soil material should be taken from approx. 15 different places according to the procedure described above. Then mix the collected soil material thoroughly.
What sample quantity is required and how should the sample be sent to LUFA Speyer?
Send approx. 500 g of soil packed in a well-labeled bag for testing. When sending the soil sample, please do not forget to include your address and details of the origin of the sample in the package. Ideally, you should use the order form for soil testing in home gardens (see below).
Briefly explained
Soil analysis for home gardens Soil testing is a quick and easy way to find out about the nutrient supply in your garden soil. Too much fertilizer pollutes our environment and has an unfavourable effect on plant growth. A prerequisite for proper fertilization is carrying out a soil test to determine the nutrients present in the soil. As the various garden crops are usually grown in different places in a kitchen garden each year, the sample does not have to be taken separately for each individual crop, but the entire kitchen garden is recorded in one sample. It makes sense to divide the area into several soil samples if there are different forms of use or if the soil properties differ significantly.
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Order forms and instructions (German version only)
Contact persons
