Final_Tool_logo_trans.gif (11123 bytes)


How To Get A Soil Sample For Testing

 
Get Our Free Newsletter

Home
Previous Issues

Advertise

the Savvygardener Community
~ Gardening Forums, Blogs, Photos, Events and more...

Donations

Site Search
Contact Us

Feature Articles

~ All About Composting
~ Worm Composting
~ Houseplant Care
~ When to Start Seeds Indoors
~ Seed Starting Indoors
~ Seed Starting Tomatoes
~ Vegetable Garden Calendar
~ Shrub Pruning Calendar
~ Pruning Clematis 
~ Gardening in the Shade
~ Summer-Flowering Bulb Care
~ Drought-Tolerant Flowers for KC
~ Peonies - A New Old Favorite
~ Preparing for a Soil Test
~ Changing the pH of Your Soil
~ All About Mulch
~ Growing Herbs
~ When to Harvest Vegetables
~ Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
~ Organic Pesticides & Biopesticides
~ Cold Frames & Hot Beds
~ When to Divide Perennials
~ Dividing Spring Blooming Perennials
~ Overseeding A Lawn
~ Forcing Bulbs Indoors
~ Pruning Trees
~ Pruning Shrubs
~ Planting Trees
~ Deer Resistant Plants
~ Trees that Survived the Storm
~ Stump Removal Options for the Homeowner
~ More...

 

Local Sponsors
~ Family Tree Nursery
~ Missouri Organic Recycling
~ Ryan Lawn & Tree

Privacy Pledge


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

The results of a soil test can be no better than the representative sample of soil that is submitted for testing.  Follow these simple steps to get the most from your soil test:
  • Using a coring device, pipe, auger, trowel, spade, knife or other tool, collect slender cores, columns or slices of soil 6 to 8 inches deep and of a uniform diameter or thickness. (Lawn samples can be about three inches deep).  
  • Take ten or more columns or slices, at random, from the area to be tested.  Combine, crumble and blend the columns or cores thoroughly in a clean container.  Remove any stones, grass, roots, or thatch.
  • For most meaningful results, do not mix lawn and garden soils into one sample.  Separate tests are better as plants in each area may have different nutrient needs. You may even want to take separate tests for the front and back yard or shady and sunny areas.
  • Take one pint of this mixture in a small clean container to your local extension office.  Be prepared with information about the size of your lawn or garden, the type of grass you have, and whether you are starting a new lawn or maintaining an established lawn.

 

 

 
 

© 1999 - 2010 Savvygardener.com, Inc. All rights reserved.  If you wish to copy, transmit, or otherwise duplicate any of the material from our website please ask us first.  Thank you.