You can find out more by reading our Soil Fertility Testing brochure.

Tools needed: a clean, stainless steel spoon or trowel, a clean bucket and a quart size plastic bag.

• Select a representative sampling area. 

  • Areas of different soil type, topography and management history should be sampled separately.

  • Avoid sampling unusual areas like wet areas or manure piles, unless you are specifically interested in that spot.

• Scrape away the top organic material such as leaves and pine needles.

  • Do not include grass if you are sampling a lawn. Dig down 6” to 9” or deeper if plant roots will extend further.

• Place the soil in the bucket.

• Repeat this 15 – 20 times within the sampling area you selected.

  • Walking a zigzag pattern through the area, taking a sample at each point, usually provides a representative sample.

• Thoroughly mix the soil in the bucket and transfer enough of the soil to fill the plastic bag half full.

• Seal the bag and label with the sample location.

• Fill out the Soil Test Order Form in our Soil Fertility Testing brochure.

  • Do not place the order form in the plastic bag with the sample.

• Either mail the sample, use one of our courier stops for pickup, or deliver it to our lab.

• Please include payment with sample.