How to know wheather it fit for organic farming or not ?
How to test soil at Home
Soil texture test
How to do it:
Take a handful of moist soil.
Rub it between your fingers.
Results:
Gritty feel → Sandy soil
Smooth, powder-like feel → Silt
Sticky and forms a ball → Clay
A mix of all three → Loamy (best for plants)
Jar Test
This test shows the soil composition visually.
Steps:
Fill a transparent jar ½ with soil.
Add water until almost full.
Add 1 teaspoon salt or dish soap.
Shake well for 1–2 minutes.
Let it sit for 24 hours.
Results:
Bottom layer: Sand
Middle layer: Silt
Top layer: Clay
More balanced layers = Better soil for farming.
Soil pH Test (Acidic or Alkaline)
Plants grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6–7).
A. Vinegar & Baking Soda Test
You need: Vinegar, baking soda, 2 cups of soil.
Test 1 – For Alkalinity:
Put soil in a bowl.
Add vinegar.
If it fizzes, soil is alkaline.
Test 2 – For Acidity:
Put soil in another bowl.
Add water to make it muddy.
Sprinkle baking soda.
If it fizzes, soil is acidic.
No fizz = Soil is neutral (best).
Drainage Test
Good drainage prevents root rot.
Steps:
Dig a hole 30 cm deep.
Fill it with water and let it drain.
Fill it again and time the drainage.
Results:
Drains in < 1 hour → Good soil
Takes 1–2 hours → Moderate
More than 3 hours → Poor drainage (too much clay)
Earthworm Test (Health Check)
Earthworms mean healthy, fertile soil.
Steps:
Dig a 30×30 cm area of soil.
Count worms.
Result:
8+ worms = Very healthy soil
Less than 3 = Low fertility (add compost)
Smell Test
Healthy soil smells like fresh earth.
If it smells rotten or sour, too much water or fungus is present.
