I have an area of a landscaped bed where nothing seems to be growing. We had spirea there and it has slowly died. The myrtle ground cover will is not growing there. We had a red bud tree there, which died after only a couple of years (it had been healthy and then died). You can also see there is a gas pipe leading into the house garage and a gutter downspout at the end of the area. We are trying to figure out what is wrong with this patch of the land. I am wondering how I can best test the soil and/or identify what is wrong with this area. Thank you for your assistance.

Hi David,

Thanks for writing to us. This definitely seems strange. As a first step, soil testing is definitely a good idea. Below are links to tell you where to get a test kit and how to manage it. I hope this gives you some answers. If not, please contact us again.

SOIL TESTING

Kits are available at County Extension Offices. The link attached take you to Franklin County. Please contact me if you are in a different County. Franklin County sends samples to Penn State for a minimal cost. Analysis is done at a non-biased university. If you have trouble understanding the response you get, Mike Hogan or Tim McDermott can answer them. <personal data hidden>

To test...

1. Thoroughly clean the tools you're using to collect the soil sample.
2. In the planting area, dig 4 holes 6 to 8 inches deep.
3. Take a 1/2-inch slice along the side of a hole and place it in the bucket. Repeat this process for all the holes.
4. Mix the soil in the bucket. Spread the soil on a newspaper to dry it out. Collect a pint for your sample.
5. Enclose the pint of soil in the envelope in the test kit.

https://franklin.osu.edu/program-areas/agriculture-and-natural-resources/soil-testing

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132

Dear SanMur,

Thank you very much for your response. I live in Cuyahoga County. Is there an extension office for Cuyahoga County?

Thank you again!
Sincerely,

David

.......

Hi David,

 The Cuyahoga County Office is at: 12200 Fairhill Road, E Building

Cleveland, Oh 44120

Not sure how convenient that is, so reach out to the Cuyahoga County ANR Educator, Morning Robinson, at<personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden>

https://cuyahoga.osu.edu