If nothing else, throw some compost on your soil this fall and let winter do the work of mixing it in for you. But fall is a great time to test and amend your soil. It’s a good idea to test your soil pH every couple of years, more often if you are trying to correct it. The reason everyone harps on pH is that if the soil pH is too alkaline or acidic, your plants won’t be able to access any of the nutrients in the soil, no matter how rich your soil is or how much you feed them. Most plants prefer a neutral pH of around 6.3 to 7.0, but some plants actually prefer the extremes (like blueberries), so check on the pH for what you are growing.

You can buy a pH kit from most garden centers or you can have Cooperative Extension test it for you, usually for a nominal fee. Some garden centers also provide this service.

You could also have your soil tested for assorted other essential nutrients. You usually need to send a soil sample out to a lab for this. Again, Cooperative Extension provides this service. They will send you back results and recommendations for the phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, etc. in your soil. This is good information, but not essential unless you are having problems or growing commercially. If you’ve been adding organic matter to your soil, it is probably fine.

• Great Garden Soil: Why it Matters - Making it Great
• Amending Your Garden Soil - Making Good Soil out of Bad
• How Soil Amendment Will You Need?

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2007) licensed to About.com, Inc.