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Soil Testers are Essential for Garden Maintenance

As Good As Grass editor:
Garden maintenance often consists of lawn care, planting and upkeep of garden furniture. However, soil quality is one significant aspect that is often overlooked. Read on to see how you can improve your soil quality for more effective garden maintenance.

An electronic soil tester newly introduced to the Clean Air Gardening online gardening store makes it easy for gardeners to get better results by giving them the information they need to grow plants successfully. The tester allows you to monitor 1) the conditions of the soil pH, 1) soil moisture, 3) light intensity, and 4) total combined nitrogen and phosphorus and potash (NPK) levels. These four pieces of information together help pinpoint what you need to know to prepare for gardening and yard success.

Ask any good landscaper about garden maintenance and they'll tell you about the importance of good, fertile soil. Healthy soil is right up there at the top of the list with the right amount of sunlight and water. Now you can measure all of these things yourself with an electronic soil tester. This essential garden maintenance too is available at the CleanAirGardening.com online store.

The tester allows gardeners to monitor 1) the conditions of the soil pH, 1) soil moisture, 3) light intensity, and 4) total combined nitrogen and phosphorus and potash (NPK) levels. These four pieces of information together help pinpoint what you need to know to prepare for gardening and yard success.

The soil pH level will affect how well plants use the total nutrients available in the soil. These nutrients are the building blocks the plant requires for successful growth. Successful growth cannot be achieved with inadequate or improper light amounts. And even if these three growing conditions are ideal, a garden will not thrive is over or under watered. These general checks should be part of your monthly garden maintenance regime.

To use the electronic soil tester, simply slide the selector switch to the test being performed. For the pH or fertility tests, prepare a soil sample and insert the probes into the sample. Within seconds, the meter will indicate the pH or fertility conditions of soil. Check your results against a detailed pH preference list is included with the tool, or determine if fertilizer application is required based on the readings.

To determine moisture level, just probe deep near the roots to measure whether watering your garden is necessary. An included moisture guide will help users know if the soil is sufficiently moist.

Light is measured by placing the photocell located on top of the meter at leaf level and pointing it directly at the light source. By checking the chart that is included, you can tell if your plants receiving the necessary light.

This garden maintenance tool is ideal to help decide which plants would work best in each particular area of your yard. It also helps gardeners learn whether they're not watering enough or too much, or if they need to improve the condition of their soil.

The Rapitest 1880 model electronic soil tester can be purchased for $37.95 online at CleanAirGardening.com or by phone at 888-439-9101. Do not overlook this purchase if you are serious about your garden maintenance.

Clean Air Gardening is an online gardening store that specializes in environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies such as manual mowers, compost bins, rain barrels, garden maintenance tools, organic fertilizers and much more. It is a privately owned company that has been in business since 1998. The web site is located at www.cleanairgardening.com.

Remember, even if you have one of our artificial grass lawns, soil quality is still essential for your trees and plants to flourish.