The degree of testing of your soil will of course correspond to several factors including; how much time and energy you plan on investing in your garden, any history you know of regarding the soil, and the amount of production you want out of it. Simple tests can include simply digging one foot diameter holes in various spots in your backyard, and filling them with water and then measuring how quickly they drain. One to six inches of drainage per hour is desirable for most plants. A second fairly simple home test is the so called squeeze test which will give an idea of the makeup of your soil. Take a handful of moist, but not wet, soil from various areas in your garden, and then give it a firm squeeze. If it holds it's shape and crumbles in response to a light poke you have loam and generally the best soil possible for your vegetable garden. If it holds it's shape and does not break down when you poke it you have clay soil. If it simply falls apart when you open your hand you have sandy soil.
Other techniques you can apply at home include many of the observation techniques which are discussed in the the natural design section, such as
Other techniques you can apply at home include many of the observation techniques which are discussed in the the natural design section, such as