Cornell Cooperative Extension
Knowing the pH and nutrient content of your soil is important to successful growing.
How To Take A Soil Sample
1. When should soil be sampled? Soil samples can be taken at any time during the year; however, avoid extremely wet soil conditions unless absolutely necessary.
What is soil testing?
Soil Testing. Soil testing is the easiest and most reliable method of assessing a soil’s nutrient status. It provides a basis for recommending the correct amount of lime and fertilizer to apply for crops and pastures. Soil testing also allows an expert to predict the probability of obtaining a yield or growth response to lime ...
How to sample soil?
How to Sample. Using an auger, shovel or spade and a clean plastic pail or container, take small uniform cores or thin slices from the soil surface to the recommended depth (see the following paragraph). Gently crush the soil and mix it thoroughly, discarding any roots or stones.
How many borings should be done for soil?
Adequately assess the nutrients that plant roots may encounter in soils, at least five to ten randomly selected soil borings should comprise the composite sample submitted to the laboratory. Five to eight borings will be enough for small areas such as lawns and gardens.
What is the WVU Board of Governors?
The WVU Board of Governors is the governing body of WVU. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing, and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities.
How long does it take to get soil samples?
Send samples to a soil testing laboratory well before you need the recommendations. Allow about three weeks for the samples to be processed and the results to be sent to you. Samples sent to the laboratory between March and June may take longer to process. Avoid delays by sending samples between July and December.
Why is my soil test delayed?
Not only does wet soil cost more to mail, but your results also will be delayed because the laboratory must still air dry the sample. Do not heat the sample. Send at least 1 cup (a handful) of soil to the laboratory in a plastic bag.
Is the Department of Agriculture discriminating against people of color?
Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color , national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
The Importance of Soil Testing
What's Soil? Soil is made up of minerals, organic matter (living and dead), air and water. Soil provides nutrients and serves as a foundation for plants. Improving your soil increases plant health and is critical to growing a lawn or garden you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.
How to Test Your Soil
Home soil pH tester kits include vials and tablets to test your soil, as well as a chart to interpret the results. With testing meters, you simply insert the meter probe into the soil and read the results.
Improve Acidic Soil
Most native soils in the Eastern United States are naturally acidic. Alaska, Hawaii and parts of the Pacific Northwest tend towards acidic soil as well.
Improve Alkaline Soil
Alkaline soils are most common in the Central and Southwestern United States, which are generally areas with less rainfall. Alkaline soil restricts a plant’s ability to take in nutrients (such as iron).
How deep should soil samples be dug?
Each soil sample should be dug straight down so that the volume of soil you pull from the five-six inch depth is the same as the volume from the top one inch.
What is a management area?
A management area is one that has the same kind of land form (valley bottom, hillslope, top of the ridge) as well as the same past management practices. If you have a totally flat two acre pasture that has had hay on it for five years that would be one management area.
Can you send samples in an overnight package?
An ice pack in an overnight package will do the trick for sending most samples, but an icepack in a cooler may be necessary. Samples should be sent in a sealed and labelled plastic bag. You will also want to write down a note in your own records about where the samples came from, the depth, and the date sampled.
Is soil spatially or temporally variable?
Soil is highly variable both spatially and temporally. For more details on what time of year, why you should sample, images of determination of management units, and the analyses you should request we recommend a great extension publication: For video instructions, compiled with funding from the Western SARE program, ...
Why do we need soil testing?
Soil testing for new homes is needed in order to determine the composition of the soil and if it can properly support a foundation. It’s usually also a necessary part of getting a building permit. If the soil is found to be loose, easily compressed, or full of absorptive clay, like in Houston and the gumbo soil we have to deal with, ...
How many soil samples do soil engineers take?
Soil engineers typically take between four and eight soil samples, but it can vary according to the engineer.
What is soil engineering?
Soil engineers perform soil testing. They can be hired privately or through the architect or contractor who will be planning and building your new home. These individuals are also known as geotechnical engineers, and they must have met several criteria before working as a soil engineer. Geotechnical engineers have degrees in civil engineering.
What does it mean when soil engineers test for toxins?
Soil engineers also test for toxins and contaminants in the soil, like lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, zinc and barium, that may indicate the area is hazardous to human health. While soil compaction and contraction can be overcome, having toxic soil may mean that you do not want to buy the land or build on it.
Do you need to test soil before buying land?
If you want to test the soil of your new potential property prior to buying the land, you need to make it known when you place your bid for your new home site. In this instance, you’d make an offer on the land and have it put into the purchase agreement that you will be having the soil tested by a licensed soil engineer.
Can you request soil testing before buying land?
However, you can also request soil testing before buying land and have it put in writing that your offer is contingent on the property passing the soil test. Soil testing can also be ongoing during the construction process.
Does weak soil help buildings?
Weak soil does not offer good support for buildings. This type of soil may expand or contract 10 percent or more due to the moisture content. It may also be loose and prone to erosion, or it may show a tendency to significantly compress when put under pressure.
