- Usually there are tools in the garage or tool shed that are suitable for taking soil samples. This could be a garden trowel, shovel or spade. However before use, it is important to remove any soil, rust or foreign materials to avoid false readings from the soil analysis. Soil probes, manufactured for soil sampling, can be purchased from agricultural supply companies for about $25.
- The best time to take soil samples is a few months before new plantings or fertilizer applications, when the ground is not frozen or water-logged. Late summer or early fall are ideal times to sample soil. If you have sandy soils, they may be tested every two to three years. Sampling intervals can be extended to every four years if you have silt or clay loam soils.
- A true soil sample is a composite of several sub-samples. Enough samples need to be taken to accurately represent sample area. Walking the sample area in an "x" pattern, stopping at near equal intervals to take a sample, is the most recommended method. Sub-samples are put in a clean bucket and thoroughly mixed.
- Soil sample depths recommended by Virginia Cooperative Extension are 2 to 4 inches deep for established lawns, 6 to 8 inches or tillage depth for vegetable and flower gardens, and 6 inches for trees and shrubs. When soil is sampled around established trees and shrubs, sub-samples are taken from near the trunk to the outer edges of the branches or drip line. Samples should be taken at the same depth each time an area is sampled for consistency of analysis.
- Soil sample boxes and sample information sheets are usually free of charge from county agricultural extension offices. The thoroughly mixed sub-samples are used to fill the sample boxes and the remaining soil can be used in the landscaping. Information sheets are completed and mailed with the sample to the state soils testing laboratory. There are also private laboratories that do soil analyses.
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