Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow . Although you probably get tired of hearing us say it, taking a soil sample is the first step to having a successful garden this spring. No matter if you are going to use conventional fertilizer or go organic, getting the pH, or acidity of the soil correct is critical. Why does it matter? Because pH controls the availability of nutrients -- nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and the micro nutrients -- all of which a