​Spring has arrived! Things are certainly greening up, and gardeners everywhere are beginning to think about what we want to plant and what soil preparations may be needed.

One important preparation is to have your soil tested, especially if it has been a few years since the last test.  Depending on the “crop” you intend to grow (vegetables, flowers, trees, lawn), you may need to apply certain amendments to create the ideal growing conditions. A healthy plant is more productive and resilient to adverse conditions (weather, disease, harmful insects, competition from weeds) when it is in the correct soil conditions. 

Taking a soil sample for testing is pretty simple. The full instructions can be found on our Soil Testing Webpage. 
Basically, you need to obtain a representative sample for the area you want to test, whether that be a vegetable garden, a lawn, a shrub bed, etc. To get a representative sample, take several samples from your testing area and thoroughly mix them in a clean pail or bucket to create your representative sample or "average" soil for your yard.

Once a soil sample is obtained and mixed, bring 2 cups of the mixed soil to our office, where we will label it and send it to the lab.  Results are usually available within about 4 days, and those can be emailed directly to you. 

What you will receive is a list of the current nutrient levels, the pH (how acidic or alkaline your soil is), organic matter content, and a few other things (for which an explanation sheet will be provided).  You will also receive recommendations on what nutrients to apply (dependent on your intended “crop”), how much of each nutrient, how to adjust the pH if needed, and when to do all of this. 

Our Basic Test - $35 includes organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, CEC, pH, and buffer pH.  Our Complete Test- $45 includes the Basic Test plus conductivity, boron, copper, iron, manganese, sulfur, and zinc. 

If you are interested in completing a test this spring, or any other time of the year, just follow the directions on our website and submit a sample to our office.  We will be happy to help.

The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District held its Annual Meeting this February at the 4-H Fairgrounds with over 90 residents in attendance. Guests listened to presentations, voted in the SWCD Supervisor election, and learned more about the District's 2025 work, presented by Dave Bradway.

County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt presented "Water Availability: Local Action, Statewide Impact" alongside Jack Wittman, PhD. They discussed how early concerns about water availability have led to deeper local investigation and growing attention at the state level. Representatives from the Nature Conservancy, Sarah Reilly and Danielle Randles, delivered presentations on edge-of-field drainage practices and new initiatives to install these practices for conservation-minded farmers in Indiana.

Awards were presented to highlight local conservation work. The SWCD recognized Grand Park Sports Campus and Westfield Green Together with the Outstanding Conservation Project Award for their native tree planting project, which included planting 130 native trees at Grand Park.

The Friend of Conservation Award was presented to Alecia Larkin for her dedication to conservation outreach in the community. As a Master Gardener and Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair, Alecia Larkin regularly represents the Master Gardener program at community events across Hamilton County.

Clay Middle School was recognized with the Excellence in Environmental Education Award for its annual Invasive Species Symposium. Since 2014, Steven Sturgis has led the school's sixth-grade invasive species symposium, creating an authentic, project-based learning experience. The program brings together scientists and conservation professionals from across the region, allowing students to present their work to experts on the frontlines of invasive species management.

The River Friendly Farmer Award was presented to Heather and Jeff Figurelli for their conservation practices at Fig's Farm. While they specialize in growing produce and flowers and caring for rescue farm animals, they also focus on native habitat restoration. They have constructed a half-acre pond on their property, installed three acres of native herbaceous plants, and continue to plant native trees annually. Their goal is to transform their property into predominantly native landscaping and habitat.
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Crystal Neuman was elected to the SWCD Board of Supervisors and sworn in at the meeting by Mark Heirbrandt. Her experience spans sustainable management program development, research and curriculum design, and community-centered initiatives focused on responsible land use. As a former Fishers City Councilor, sustainability was one of her core policy priorities — and that dedication continues in this new role.