The Cooperative Extension Service recommends soil testing every few years to determine the proper nutrient management strategies for farm and gardens alike. The Horticulture Agent recommends this as well when working with clients whether it be for vegetable gardens, landscapes, or forage and row crops. The Horticulture Agent has noticed that there had been a drop off in the number of soil tests in his county.  He also noticed that many of the soil tests that were being done had very high pH and other nutrient levels indicating clients were over fertilizing and liming.

To increase the use of soil testing as a nutrient management system the Horticulture Agent requested that the Extension District Board pay for all soil testing as a service to the community. The Board agreed.

The previous year when testing was $6.00 per test there were 177 soil tests done in Washington County. In the 9 months since free soil testing has begun there have been 501.  Many local farmers and gardeners have indicated that although tests were only $6.00 before, making them free encouraged them to do more testing and that it was a great service for Extension to provide. Many gardeners after testing for the first time indicated they had no idea they were over applying nutrients.  One local gardener stated, “I have wasted a lot of money and effort!”