A $20 UMass Amherst soil test gives gardeners custom advice to improve soil, save money and help plants grow better.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Person sifting through the soil near a plant - Seizavisuals/Getty Images We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Man cupping soil in hands while squatting in garden - Drazen Zigic/Getty Images Soil testing could not be more important preceding tasks like establishing a new garden, diagnosing plant problems, ...

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...

Ready to plant? Don't forget to test your soil pH. Before planting your garden don't forget to test your soil pH level to learn how acidic or basic it is. This could be a deciding factor in whether ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Soil type affects how it retains water and nutrients.Photograph: iStock/Getty Images (Photograph: iStock/Getty Images) I often ...

If your lawn isn’t impressing as much as you’d like, the problem may be hiding underneath the surface. That is why lawn care professionals all recommend carrying out a lawn soil test in spring as the ...

Soil is more than dirt—it’s a secret financial advisor hiding under your feet. A garden or farm may look fine from the surface, but unseen imbalances in nutrients, pH levels, or soil composition can ...

It’s never too early to prepare for a strong growing season. You don’t have to wait until spring to test your soil quality. Fall soil fertility testing to determine residual nutrients and soil ...