How to Tell if Soil is Good with 8 Simple Tests (2024)

Soil Organisms

Healthy soil is full of animal life.

• Dig a hole at least 6 inches deep.
• Watch the interior of the hole for 4 minutes.
• Count the number and species of critters you see like spiders, ground beetles & centipedes.

Anything less than 10 means your soil is low on animal life. A strong population of critters keeps down pests and disease, so “the more, the merrier.”

Earthworms

Worms aerate the soil, allowing better circulation. They also eat organic material, so a big worm population means your soil is rich in nutrients.

• Look for earthworm casts or burrows on the surface of damp soil.
• Dig up a chunk of soil 6 inches deep.
• Count the worms you find in the chunk.
• Five is the magic number, but three is still good.

Earthworm benefits go beyond aeration. These friendly critters leave behind secretions that improve tilth, as well as adding organic matter, bacteria, plant nutrients and enzymes via their casts.

Soil Structure/Tilth

Tilth is the condition of tilled soil.

• Dig a 6 – 10-inch deep hole in damp soil.
• Remove a soup can-sized section intact.
• Break it apart

Healthy soil consists of different sized aggregates or chunks that retain their shape when slight pressure is applied. Rich, organic soil has rounder aggregates, allowing water and air to move more easily around plants’ roots. This results in healthier plants.

If the aggregates are difficult to break apart, you have a hard soil problem.

Workability

If your soil is hard to work or till and you get clods as a result, your soil has low workability. Workable soil is less likely to compact and allows better circulation of water and vital nutrients.

Compaction

This is compressed, hard soil.

• Stick a wire into the soil.
• Mark the depth when the wire bends.

Ideally, the wire will penetrate the soil by at least a foot or more before bending. Compacted soil restricts water and nutrient availability. It also prevents beneficial critters like earthworms from moving around plant roots.

Water Infiltration

Water infiltration is the process by which water reaches plant roots.

• Remove the bottom of a coffee can.
• Push it into the soil, leaving 3 inches above ground.
• Fill the visible portion with water.
• Mark the water height.
• Time how long it takes the soil to absorb the water.
• Repeat until the absorption rate slows and the time to absorption is consistent.
• If slower than ½ – 1 inch per hour, your soil is likely compacted.

Good water infiltration not only gets water to your plants’ root, it helps prevent erosion and runoff. It also improves aeration.

Water Availability

Well-aerated soil is more evaporation resistant and provides plants an adequate water supply between waterings.

• This test must be done after a soaking rain.
• Keep track of how much time passes between the rain and your plants exhibiting signs of thirst. Different regions will have different results.
• If your plants need increased watering frequency over what is usual for your area, your soil is probably compacted.

Root Development

Healthy root systems mean healthy plants and healthy soil.

• Pick a plant to dig up, such as a weed.
• Dig to root depth and pull up the plant.
• Look at the root development.
• White roots with fine strands are healthy, while brown, mushy roots are a sign of drainage issues.
• Short, stunted roots can mean disease or root-eating pests.

Roots depend on healthy soil, air and water to grow. Healthy root systems indicate healthy, well-aerated soil.

These simple tests can save you time and money and help make your gardening season abundantly successful!

Get to know your soil like never before with these easy tests! Discover the secrets hidden beneath the surface and optimize your gardening success. Find Kellogg Garden Organics products at a store nearby and start nurturing healthier, happier plants today!