The nutrient balance in your soil is essential for growing all types of plants. Each nutrient in the soil performs a specific function in the growth and development of a plant. Maintaining a proper nutrient balance in the soil is necessary to achieve maximum plant growth, and is important to those gardeners who wish to grow high quality roses. If the soil pH is too high or low, certain nutrients may not be available for uptake by the plant even though they are present in the soil. For example, if soil pH is above 8, iron and manganese are not available to the rose plant even though both elements may be present in the soil.

Knowing the nutrient and pH levels in your soil allows for proper adjustment when necessary. The only way to gain this knowledge is through soil testing. The information provided by a soil test allows the grower to choose a fertilizer or other amendment that compliment the existing soil condition. Fall is an excellent time to get a soil test as any corrections you make to the soil in your beds take several months to take effect. You can find a professional soil testing company by getting on Google and searching for “soil test”. You will pull up several web sites. Dr. Good Earth in St Louis does an excellent job in soil and nutrient analysis.

Mark Nolan
The Importance of Soil Testing. The Rosarian, September 2007.