If you are growing a garden, or considering growing a garden, and you neglect ot test the soil pH and appropriately lime the soil first, you are wasting seeds, you are wasting land, and you are wasting time.

Last year I planted some rocket into some potting mix, and it took off, produced very well, grew like a weed (which is probably because it is a weed).

So this year I decided to do it again, on a larger scale. I mixed organic compost (purchased) and regular "dirt" (non-organic parent soil with lovely minerals) into two wine barrels, and planted them with rocket seeds. They quickly sprouted. Then nothing. They just sat there, no further growth. I watered them. I let them dry out. I applied plant food, and more plant food. Nothing. I left it dry for an extended period. Nothing. They remain tiny little sprouts, months later.

I just tested the soil, and it's too acidic. A wasted a year because I didn't bother to spend a small amount of money on a soil test and lime. Luckily, 2 barrels isn't much. But what was I thinking? I guess even if the rocket flourished, it wouldn't be worth as much as a soil testing kit costs, since I'm growing so little. But for anything bigger, like a normal sized garden, this is well worth it, especially if you are depending on the food.