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Soil testing is back! for my urban yard.

 
pollinator
Posts: 773
Location: Western MA, zone 6b
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I purchased my urban home 4 summers ago and finally this year got around to having my soil tested.   I know, I should have done that BEFORE I started growing food, a  bit of cart before the horse for sure.

I took samples from all of the areas where I plant and grow food  (none from the remaining lawn areas or front yard)  and my results were pretty cool!  

It was a barren very short (scalped) lawn probably sprayed with pesticides and herbicides when I bought it.    I put in a wide border of cardboard and heavy wood chips, overplanted the grass with clover,  started mulching mowing and keeping it LONG,  and immediately built a compost bin.  

I was especially concerned about lead contamination given the location and poor condition,  but my number came back pretty low compared to the "safe" levels.   Not zero, but low.
soil.jpg
[Thumbnail for soil.jpg]
 
steward
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Congratulation on a great soil test.

Heather said, " I put in a wide border of cardboard and heavy wood chips, overplanted the grass with clover,  started mulching mowing and keeping it LONG,  and immediately built a compost bin.  



A big cheer for the wood chips and compost bin!

 
gardener
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I don't think my soil test came with a lead level. It's nice to have one. What about the pH and OM level? Those two numbers are important too.
 
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