Healthy soil is the foundation of productive agriculture. Understanding the chemistry of your soil helps you make better decisions about amendments, fertilizers, and crop selection.
Key Soil Properties
- pH: Most crops prefer 6.0-7.0. Testing and adjusting pH is the single most impactful thing you can do.
- Organic matter: Target 3-5% for optimal water retention and microbial activity
- CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity): Determines the soil's ability to hold nutrients
- Macro and micronutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S plus trace elements