A HORTICULTURE EDUCATOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION SAYS FALL IS A GOOD TIME TO TEST YOUR GARDEN SOIL. 

SOIL TESTING PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT P-H LEVELS AND NUTRIENTS IN THE GROUND, WHICH WILL LET YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED FERTILIZER OR OTHER SUPPLEMENTS. THE EXTENSION’S KEN JOHNSON SAYS IT SHOULD BE DONE EVERY THREE YEARS, TESTING DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE GARDEN.

JOHNSON SAYS SOIL TESTS USUALLY COST BETWEEN 15 AND 25 DOLLARS. 

THE RESULTS WILL HELP DETERMINE IF FERTILIZER OR OTHER ADDITIVES ARE NEEDED. 

THE WEBSITE: EXTENSION DOT ILLINOIS DOT EDU SLASH SOIL HAS A LIST OF LABS THAT DO SOIL TESTING.