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If you really want to have a successful garden to go with your early start, don't guess-soil test!
So easy to do and no one would take off on a long road trip without a map, so why would you not want to know the quality and available nutrients in your soil to grow the very best flowers and vegetables.

GETTING THE SAMPLES:

All you need is a garden trowel, a clean container and a paper towel or clean rag. In order to get a good overall idea of the quality of your soil and what nutrients are present, it is important to take the time to take several over all random samples. Keep in mind the soil test results are only as good as the samples taken. So take your "equipment" out in your garden and dig a small hole about 2 inches across and 6 inches deep. Take the soil you have dug and put in your container, (a clean plastic bucket works great for this), wipe off your trowel and move to another spot. I normally try to do at least a dozen samples in random areas of my garden. Once you are done digging, combine all the soil and throughly mix this will give a true reflection of the soil in your area. When collecting your soil samples do avoid areas that would skew the tests. For example and area where you have burned fall leaves, or the spot where you had a compost pile will not get accurate results for the other areas of your garden.

Now that you've collected the soil, you need to submit it to the soil lab. Your state Department of Agriculture or county Cooperative Extension Service is usually responsible for testing soil. Often, this is a free service; however, some states do charge a minimal fee to cover cost. (Either way, it's a great deal compared with commercial testing facilities.) Check your state's Department of Agriculture Website or contact your local cooperative extension agent for any submission requirements. Soil labs may require special boxes for submitting soil samples, along with a form to determine what crops to provide recommendations for. (These boxes, forms and shipping instructions are generally available at your county Cooperative Extension Service.)

There are some states that have private labs that also do soil testing as well. In addition there are kits that can be purchased from any nursery or website that also give fairly accurate if not as detailed results. They are fairly inexpensive and come in both box types and electronic gadgets as well.

Any way you do it, as soil sample is an easy and excellent way to help get you started on the right path

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