Growing Together: Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Soil testing

    Posted 04-12-2025 02:12:00 PM

    Hi everybody,

    I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

    I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

    I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

    Thanks everyone!

    Cecilia



    ------------------------------
    Cecilia Campbell
    BioTECH High School
    Homestead FL
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 04-14-2025 01:30:00 AM

    Cecilia,

    I would start by checking with your county extension office https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/ Sometimes, extension offices offer free soil testing. If your local office doesn't offer that service, they should be able to tell you where you can get testing done. Your local soil and water conservation district may also be of assistance: https://www.afcd.us/districts



    ------------------------------
    Laurie White
    Community Farm Alliance / Kentucky Farm to School Network
    Berea KY
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 04-14-2025 12:37:00 PM
    Your problem might not be chemicals. These are other factors to consider. I will add compost, worm casting, and plant beans to start the process of re-fertilizing your soil. 

    The absence of weeds and other signs of life besides fire ants in soil for three months, even with nutrients present, suggests a few possibilities.
     The soil may be infertile due to factors such as low pH or a lack of organic matter, making it difficult for weeds and other plants to thrive. 
    Additionally, the fire ants could be actively preventing other life from establishing, according to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. 
    Here's a more detailed breakdown:
    • Soil Fertility:
      Soil fertility is crucial for plant growth, and it takes time and effort to build it up. Three months is a relatively short period for soil to naturally regain its fertility, especially if it has been depleted of essential nutrients or if the soil pH is not optimal for plant growth. 
    • Lack of Seed Source:
      If the area is not well-drained or if the soil has a different composition than desirable for the area, it might not be as conducive for weeds to grow, notes the RHS. The presence of fire ants could also be deterring other creatures and plants from establishing a presence in the soil. 
    • Fire Ant Influence:
      Fire ants can be incredibly disruptive to the ecosystem by eating seeds and larvae, says the Mississippi State University Extension Service. They can also create and maintain their mounds, which can physically prevent other plants from taking root. 
    In summary, the lack of weeds and other life, besides fire ants, could be due to a combination of factors, including soil fertility issues, lack of a viable seed source, and the influence of the fire ants. 



    Iris

    People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget that you made them feel special and appreciated! by Maya Angelou

    Iris R. Tirado

    Food and Nutrition Director

    Concordia Charter School-Mesa

    142 N Date St

    Mesa, Arizona, 85201

    480-461-0555

             

    Our mission is to provide families a choice for high-quality educational opportunities in a safe, harmonious learning environment. 

    Our motto: Providing educational excellence and equity to the most vulnerable children in Arizona.
    Concordia Charter School, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 04-14-2025 10:29:00 AM

    Hi Cecilia,

    First, I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma. Unfortunately, based on my experience working for a large public school district, things like this seem to happen with alarming frequency. We are working very hard to educate and communicate with school admin and custodial staff about the status of gardens on school properties to mitigate these problems.

    Regarding soil testing, I concur with the previous response, and you may have already found the appropriate resource. Soil testing is typically done through the land grant university in your state who is aligned with the county extension services. Another resource to check through is Master Gardeners. It's a good tool to have access to. We recommend soil be retested every other year to determine if addition amendments are needed, especially if you have a very active garden program.

    Best of luck to you!



    ------------------------------
    [Karen] [Taylor]
    [Get2Green Support Specialist]
    [Fairfax County Public Schools]
    [Fairfax] [VA]
    [She,Her]
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Soil testing
    Best Answer

    Posted 04-14-2025 12:44:00 PM

    Hi Cecilia-

    Here are a couple more links to additional soil testing that would go beyond basic nutrient content and texture of the soil:

    Soil for Water article about residue testing: https://soilforwater.org/147260-2/

    Soil Food Web testing laboratories:  https://www.soilfoodweb.com/laboratory-technicians/



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Pounders
    Senior Education Specialist
    The Woodlands TX
    8324186540
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 04-18-2025 05:17:00 AM

    I've actually had a pretty underwhelming experience with soil testing through a local service recently. The turnaround time was way longer than expected, and the report I got back was super basic - didn't offer much insight beyond pH and a couple nutrient levels.

    I was hoping for something more actionable, especially since I'm working with kids and wanted to tie it into a learning activity. It ended up being more confusing than helpful, which was a bit disappointing.

    If anyone has recommendations for services that offer more detailed results (and explain them in a way that's easy to understand), I'd really appreciate it. Just didn't feel like I got much value out of this round.



    ------------------------------
    James Mathew
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 04-18-2025 07:11:00 AM
    That was what I found out earlier, most places only do testing for nutrient levels which does not help me. I could not find a place that would test for contaminants, pesticides, etc
    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 04-18-2025 08:55:00 AM

    Hi Cecilia and James-

    The links I sent had links to companies that offer additional soil testing beyond the basics.  From the Soil for Water article they shared these 4 labs:

    Regen Ag Lab https://regenaglab.com/

    Ward Laboratories: https://www.wardlab.com/services/soil-health-analysis/

    Woods End Laboratories: https://woodsend.com/

    Cornell Soil Health Laboratory https://soilhealthlab.cals.cornell.edu/testing-services/soil-health-analysis-packages/

    The link to Dr. Ingham's Soil Food Lab page: https://www.soilfoodweb.com/laboratory-technicians/ has too many for me to list, but they are on there because they specifically test for biological life in the soil.

    Also I found this list from Michigan State University that has additional suggestions https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/testing-for-contaminants-in-soil-water-and-plants

    Unfortunately, I have never used any of these services personally so I can't give you any first hand experience with any of them, but perhaps if you contact them they can provide an example of what their end analysis/report looks like so you can decide if they can provide you with what you are looking for before you send a sample/pay their fee. 



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Pounders
    Senior Education Specialist
    The Woodlands TX
    8324186540
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Soil testing

    Posted 05-01-2025 11:42:00 PM

    It sounds like you're doing an awesome job caring for your garden! It's definitely a good idea to have that new soil tested to make sure it's safe for growing food. In Miami, you can reach out to the University of Florida's Extension Service for soil testing-they offer testing for things like nutrient content, pH, and contaminants. You can also try contacting a local environmental lab that specializes in soil analysis. Some testing services can even check for pesticide residues and other contaminants, so definitely ask about that. It's better to be cautious, especially when you're working with students and growing food!



    ------------------------------
    Kate Brownell
    ------------------------------



Related Content