January Is the Best Time to Test Your Soil, Says a Horticulture Expert – And Improve it Now Before Spring Arrives

January is the perfect month for some garden planning. While the real work begins in spring (once the ground becomes more workable after frost), it's never too early for some preparation.

One of the most important winter gardening checklist tasks to tick off now is testing your soil in January. Soil health is the backbone of successful growing, and using a soil test kit (we recommend this lab-tested one on Amazon) will give you an insight to what's happening beneath surface level in your yard.

Testing your soil in January will show you how nutrient-rich it is, inform you about pH, and can give some insight into soil structure. 'Simply put, a soil test will tell you how fertile your soil is, and what you can do to improve the quality of your soil,' says Jim Lapic, Penn State Master Gardener. Here, he shares more about why you should get out in the yard and test your soil ahead of spring.

Why Test Your Soil in January?

There are many reasons why you should test your soil in January, ahead of a busy growing season.

At the very basis it can help you identify the soil type in your garden. With this knowledge, you can identify the best plants for loamy soil or the best plants for silty soil, for example.

But, this isn't the only thing a soil test informs you of.

'It tests the pH of your soil, as well as checking the levels of essential plant nutrients (most notably phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), and how available they are to your plants,' explains Jim.

Some soil tests even inform you about soil structure, i.e. how well it retains water, drainage level, and any signs of compaction.

Soil tests you can purchase online (like this pH soil test kit from Amazon) are unlikely to provide this information, however. You'll need a field test, or a visual evaluation of soil structure, to determine this.

By getting ahead of the growing season by testing your soil in January, you can improve soil quality and boost soil nutrients to get it in good shape for spring growing.

Jim Lapic

Jim is a Penn State Master Gardener. He volunteers his time supporting Penn State Extension’s education programs in consumer horticulture.

How to Test Your Soil

'Most states offer soil testing at a low cost through their Cooperative Extension program (for example, the Florida soil testing program),' says Jim.

'When getting your soil tested you will want to collect 8-10 samples from different locations within your lawn or garden,' he advises.

'For lawns you will want to collect soil samples that are 4” deep, and for planted areas you want to collect from 6-8” deep,' Jim adds.

Of course, you'll need to collect your soil sample when the ground isn't frozen, so make sure to plan accordingly.

'Keep in mind that you don’t want to mix the soil from different areas on your property. If you have a garden in your backyard, and another out front, don’t mix them together into a single sample,' Jim adds.

You can also purchase rapid pH soil test kits (like this from Walmart) or a more extensive kits where you send a sample to a lab to test pH and nutrient levels (like this soil test kit from Amazon).

A more affordable option that provides instant results is using a 3-in-1 soil moisture, pH, and fertility meter (from Amazon).

How to Improve Your Soil Before Spring

Once you test your soil in January, you can begin plans to amend it as necessary.

'The results of your soil test will often provide recommendations as to how much and what type of fertilizer you need to add to bring your soil closer to its optimum state,' says Jim.

'However, synthetic fertilizers should not be used during the winter when the ground is frozen. Run-off from snow melt can carry away the fertilizer and contaminate your local waterways,' he explains.

Instead, turn to organic methods for this time of year, including homemade compost and mulch.

'Add a layer of compost over your garden beds. Compost will slowly break down over the winter adding essential nutrients, feeding microbes, and improving the texture of your soil,' says Jim.

'Dead leaves, straw, even wood chips, will help prevent soil erosion, keep your garden beds a bit warmer (giving them a bit of a head start in the spring) and will eventually decompose, acting like compost to your beds,' he adds.

This is also a good time to start adjusting the pH of your soil, if needed.

For example, you can make your soil more acidic by adding pine needles or a compost tea. Once the weather warms up and frost has passed, you can also use this pH up and pH down from Amazon.

As for improving garden soil with bad structure, it can be a better option to wait until spring to aerate soil (when the ground is no longer frozen). You can use an aerator tool (from Amazon) to create more air pockets and break up compacted soil, for example.

FAQs

Can You Test Soil in Summer?

Yes, you can test soil in summer for a check-in of any issues. However, late summer and fall, as well as late winter and early spring, are usually better times for amending soil. This is because it allows for changes to settle ahead of the planting and active growth season.

There's a lot more to know about soil than you might realize, including the difference between topsoil and garden soil and knowing what the best soil is for container gardening. Getting soil right is key to growing and sustaining an abundant garden.