How often should comprehensive soil testing be performed according to FNGLA?

Comprehensive soil testing every three to five years is an appropriate schedule for maintaining healthy soil conditions in landscapes and gardens. This frequency allows for an accurate assessment of soil health and nutrient status without over-testing, which can be costly and yield less valuable data. Performing tests too frequently, such as annually or every six months, can lead to unnecessary expenses and can also result in the misinterpretation of the data due to natural fluctuations in soil nutrient levels.

In addition, soil health can remain stable over a few years, and biennial or triennial evaluations can provide ample information for managing soil amendments and fertility programs effectively. Testing only when problems arise is not advisable, as it may lead to reactive management rather than proactive solutions for soil health, potentially resulting in bigger issues down the line. Therefore, a three to five-year interval strikes a balance between staying informed about soil conditions and ensuring practical resource management.