nice picture. keep testing and give us more.

OK, Steph, it's time for some name suggestions that you can run past Brent to see what he thinks... For twins, one boy and one girl: Logan Lianne Aaron Arielle Leighton can be a boy's name or a girl's name, and the same with Logan, so you could do Logan and Leighton...

Twice each year UCONN offers free soil testing for homeowners, in Connecticut. North Carolina has a fee assessed on fertilizers sold that helps pay for soil testing for North Carolinians, otherwise most all others charge fees for this service. Cornell apparently charges $50.00 for this service now. That soil test indicates the soil pH is in range for most all plants (6.0 to 7.0) and the other major nutrients are in the high range so even though this test is about 3 years old there should not need to be any need to "fertilize". The organic matter is a bit low ( 3.6) and optimal is in the 6 to 8 percent range so the addition of organic material, compost, shredded leaves, any other form of vegetative waste, would be a good idea. So, why have a soil test done? A good reliable soil test is one tool in the gardeners bag, as useful as a hoe or spade. http://www.your-vegetable-gardening-helper.com/soil-testing.html In addition to that soil test these simple soil tests can also be of use. 1) Soil test for organic material. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains’ too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell, to a point. Too much organic matter can be bad as well. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. kimmq is kimmsr

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