How to Take an Accurate Soil Sample

Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: April 17, 2024 Approved

Gardening is a very popular hobby and becoming more popular with rising food prices and concerns about chemicals in foods. The best way to find out exactly what your garden soil needs to be most productive is to get a simple soil test.

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(Listed under US Government in the phone book.) It will contain directions and labeling instructions. Alternatively, purchase the bag from a commercial testing lab. The cost for either should be around $5.00 to $10.00.
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Be sure each is clean of any contaminating chemicals or dirt.

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Dig out a shovel full of dirt about 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 cm) deep, and set this shovelful aside.
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Use the trowel to scrape down one side of the hole digging out a half inch vertical section of soil, and place it in the bucket.
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Repeat steps 2 and 3 at least three times in different parts of the garden so that the soil sample represents your whole garden when mixed. If the plot is more than one quarter acre, you may want to divide it into sections and test each section separately. This is also necessary if different sections of the garden have different soil types. For example, if part is on an alluvial flood plain and part is on a slope.
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Then mix the soil together thoroughly.
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Fill the soil sample bag or container with the necessary amount of mixed soil, complete the paperwork, and mail it to the lab.
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Receive an analysis of the soil's pH, nutrient levels and other characteristics with recommendations for improving the soil for gardening.

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Question

Can I take wet soil for my soil sample?

Ninox

Top Answerer

Yes, no problem. The water won't affect the results because the sample are diluted in water to be analyzed.

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Soil tests can be taken at any time, but are best taken in the fall or winter months.

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Warnings

Do not take the sample if fertilizer, lime, or other chemicals have been applied to the area over the last four months.

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Do not use a metal or galvanized bucket as it may contaminate the sample.

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