As Marion County residents continue their spring garden planting, Extension Office Program Director Dale Miller says it’s important to test the soil before putting the seeds in the ground. Miller says gardeners need to know what nutrients are present in the soil in order to benefit the plants. Soil sample bags and instructions are available at the Marion County ISU Extension Office for $8. Miller says it is a simple process of taking out samples and mailing them to the Iowa State University soil test lab and they will mail back results within a few days.