As you drive around town, it is extremely obvious spring is here. Beautiful azaleas in full bloom and many more to come. With hopes of more rain this month, we can expect to see these beautiful flowers for weeks and months to come.

Q. Why have my hydrangeas changed colors?

Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs that offer one concept that few other plants can offer — their ability to change colors with changes in soil conditions. Blue hydrangeas thrive in a soil with a low pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.0, whereas pink hydrangeas perform best with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Therefore, to change colors simply raise or lower the soil pH. To get pink hydrangeas add about one cup of horticulture or agriculture lime per plant and cultivate a few inches into the soil. You can also use a product such as Remedy in a liquid form that mixes with water.

When applying liquids always apply based on recommend rate on label. (This also can be used to stop blossom end rot in tomatoes). To turn your hydrangeas blue simply add aluminum sulfate, which can be found at most garden centers. FYI-sulfur is applied to lower your soil pH whereas; lime is commonly used to raise the pH.

Q. Why is a soil sample necessary?

I have been writing columns for four weeks now and each week I have mentioned soil quality somewhere, and I have had calls asking about it.

It is important to understand, like in hydrangeas, different plants all require different soil qualities. For example, camellias desire soils with a low pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 whereas hibiscus prefer a higher pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0.

If the pH of your soil is to high or to low your soil will also be limiting the nutrient availability to the plant root system needed for growth. A common mistake is to think you can continue to add fertilizer to help your plants with low soil quality.

They may benefit from this but without the proper pH a large amount of the fertilizer you are dispensing is wasted and ineffective. However, having your soil tested is a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to know the actual quality of your soil and make the necessary changes to increase the soil quality.

First of all a soil test only cost $6, which is much less than what we spend trying to fix plant problems and poor soil conditions.

To take a soil sample, you need to take soil samples from between 4 and 6 inches deep from multiple locations around your yard or the area you want tested. Mix the entire sample together to get a composite mixture from your yard and bring about 1 cup of soil to the extension office for processing.

When you come to the extension office you will indicate specifically what you are growing in the soil from home lawn grasses, flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetable gardens, or even field crops.

It takes less than two weeks to receive your results.

Your results will give your soils pH, nutrient level, and recommendations. These recommendations will tell you in detail what action steps need to be taken to make your soil most beneficial for whatever you indicate you are growing.

For $6 you are receiving a consultant and detailed analysis that will save you time, money, and headaches and increase the quality and appearance of your yard or garden.

Next Sunday, I am going to address a common popular question I have been receiving about growing organic gardens.

I urge you to look at our Web site www.msucares.com.

David Carter is the Mississippi State University Agriculture Extension Office county agent for Adams County. He can be reached at dcarter@ext.msstate.edu or 601-442-8201.