{"id":11783,"date":"2026-04-17T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cog.ca\/?post_type=hub&p=11783"},"modified":"2026-04-17T16:19:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T20:19:31","slug":"des-analyses-simples-du-sol-a-realiser-dans-votre-jardin","status":"publish","type":"hub","link":"https:\/\/cog.ca\/fr\/hub\/des-analyses-simples-du-sol-a-realiser-dans-votre-jardin\/","title":{"rendered":"Des analyses simples du sol \u00e0 r\u00e9aliser dans votre jardin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that the health of the soil in your family\u2019s garden can impact how well your garden grows? Healthy soil is important for the success of an organic garden. It provides nutrients to plants, helps control plant diseases, and helps plants access much-needed water.Here are three simple tests that you can do as a family to find out how healthy the soil is in your garden!<\/p>\n\n

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Test #1: The Soil Colour Test<\/h3>\n\n
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What You Will Need: <\/strong>Shovel, Spray Bottle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus Supplies:<\/strong> Grab some dark and milk chocolate to help kids distinguish the difference between \u201cdark blackish brown\u201d and \u201cmedium brown\u201d, and to add a little extra fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Go into the garden and use your shovel to dig a hole.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Take a handful of soil and look at it. If the soil is dry, wet it with a spray bottle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. If the soil is very light in colour, dig deeper and take another sample.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Use the chart below to find out what the colour of your soil might mean!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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    GOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is your soil a dark blackish brown? <\/strong>This is good – there is a lot of organic matter in your soil!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    JUST OKAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is your soil a medium brown<\/strong>? This is just okay!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    NEEDS WORK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is your soil light in colour?<\/strong> It might need more organic matter.Is your soil grey or grey with brown spots?<\/strong> Your soil might be waterlogged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Does your soil have\u00a0red spots<\/strong>? This might be a sign of poor drainage.Keep reading to find out what to do!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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    Test #2: The Soil Smell Test<\/h3>\n\n
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    What You Will Need: <\/strong>Shovel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Go into the garden and use your shovel to dig a hole.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Take a handful of soil and smell it. Try smelling it up close and then from six inches away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Use the chart below to find out what the smell of your soil might mean!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      GOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Does it have a smell that is pleasant, earthy, or sweet<\/strong>? That is a sign of a healthy soil ecosystem!Does it smell sweet from six inches away<\/strong>? That\u2019s a good sign that you have healthy soil!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      JUST OKAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Does it have no strong smell at all? <\/strong>We can\u2019t learn much from this smell, it probably means your soils are just okay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      NEEDS WORK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Does it have a smell that is unpleasant, rotten, or sour?<\/strong> Does it also look very wet? Your soil might be waterlogged.Does it have a smell that is unpleasant, rotten, or sour, <\/strong>but look fairly dry?Your soil might be too compacted.Does it smell like minerals<\/strong>? Your soil might need more organic matter.Keep reading to find out what to do!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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      Test #3: The Soil Stability Test<\/h3>\n\n
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      What You Will Need: <\/strong>Shovel, Water, Timer, Small Metal Strainer, Glass\/Mason JarNote:<\/strong> Your strainer must fit the mouth of your glass or mason jar so the sample inside the strainer can be submerged in water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Gather your supplies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Go into the garden and use your shovel to dig up a sample of soil about the size of a golf ball. The soil sample should not be very moist – if it is, you can air dry it overnight!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Fill your mason jar with water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Put the soil sample inside your small metal strainer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Slowly lower the soil\/strainer into the mouth of the mason jar so that the soil sits in the water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Set a timer for 5 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Watch during the 5 minutes – what do you see? What happens to the water? What happens to the soil?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      8. Use the chart below to find out what your observations might mean!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        GOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Does your water stay clear? <\/strong>Does about 80% or more <\/strong>of your <\/strong>soil stay in the strainer? <\/strong>That means your soil has good aggregate stability. In other words, there is space in your soil for roots to grow, important microorganisms to live, and water to filter through!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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        JUST OKAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Does your water turn a bit cloudy<\/strong>, but about 50%<\/strong> of the soil stays in the strainer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This result is just okay!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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        NEEDS WORK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Does your water turn cloudy quickly<\/strong>? Is most of the soil gone within five minutes<\/strong>?This means your soil has poor aggregate stability. In other words, there may not be enough space for roots, microorganisms, or water under the soil in your garden. Your soil may struggle with heavy rain events.Keep reading to find out what to do!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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        What To Do If Your Soil \u00ab\u00a0Needs Work\u00a0\u00bb<\/h3>\n\n

        If you found out your soil \u201cNeeds Work\u201d, here are some suggestions to help improve the health of your soil!<\/p>\n\n

        Waterlogged soil:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n