Test Soil for Nitrogen

• 1). Purchase a soil kit from your local garden supply store or online. Make sure the soil kit test is for nitrogen.
  
  
• 2). Dig 3 to 4 inches into the soil with a clean trowel.
  
  
• 3). Scoop a teaspoon of soil out of the bottom of the hole, and place the soil in a clean container. Take several more samples from different areas of the soil, and place them in the container.
  
  
• 4). Pick out any debris such as twigs and stones from the soil sample. Mix the sample thoroughly to remove any lumps.
  
  
• 5). Place a sample in the tube included in the soil test kit. Some test kits will contain four different test tubes; use the one that specifically tests for nitrogen. Add the capsule, or the specified amount of powder, that is included with the kit into the tube. Mix the soil and powder together.
  
  
• 6). Add deionized water to the test tube. Place the stopper on the test tube to keep the sample from leaking out.
  
  
• 7). Check the results after a few minutes. The test will tell you if there is a surplus or sufficient amount of nitrogen or if the soil is deficient or depleted of nitrogen. The number of pounds of nitrogen currently in the soil is listed in the result.
  
  
• 8). Read the recommendations provided by the soil kit manufacturer, or garden expert. Based on the result, the test will recommend how many pounds of nitrogen are required to bring your soil up to par. The required amount will vary in different climates and to grow different plants. Ask a local expert at a nursery or garden center about the recommended amount of nitrogen to add to your soil.
  
  

Add Nitrogen to Soil

• 1). Purchase livestock manure, a good source of nitrogen. The fertilizer bag will have a combination of numbers such as 5-10-12 on the front of the bag, the first number indicates how many pounds out of 100 lbs. is nitrogen. For example, if the test indicated that the soil has a trace amount of nitrogen, or 10 lbs. per 1,000 square feet, purchase manure fertilizer with at least 30 pounds of nitrogen in it to get the soil to at least a medium level. Purchase 90 lbs. of nitrogen to get the soil to a high level.
  
  
• 2). Spread the manure into dry soil in early spring. Use the amount of manure recommended by the soil test manufacturer, or spread 6 to 10 lbs. of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet.
  
  
• 3). Work the manure 2 to 3 inches into the soil with a tiller or other tool.