Determining
Your
Soil’s Nutrient Needs
A soil test is a valuable tool in assessing the nutrient needs and
nutritional balance of your lawn. By determining the soil nutrient levels, and
pH, soil tests allow you to determine how much fertilizer and lime to put down.
The
Why Test?
·
to save money and conserve energy
by applying only the amount of fertilizer needed.
·
to protect the environment from
contamination by runoff and leaching of excess fertilizers.
·
to identify soils contaminated
with lead or other heavy metals.
·
to improve the soil’s
nutritional balance.
·
to aid in the diagnosis of plant
culture problems.
When to sample
Sampling can be done at any time; but if pH
adjustments are necessary, test as early as possible prior to planting. Avoid
sampling soils that have very recently been fertilized.
How to sample
1. Soils that are distinctly different as
judged by appearance, crop growth or past treatment should be sampled
separately.
2. Each sample submitted for testing should
be a composite or mixture of 12-20 separate scattered samplings taken over a
well-defined area.
3. Look your field or property over. Define a
sample area based on uniformity of texture, slope, drainage, color, and past
pest and fertility management.
4. Avoid sampling very wet soils. In soils
where fertilizer has been placed in bands (rows), do not sample directly in a
band. It is best not to obtain samples very near the edge of the field or plot.
5. Using a clean spade, auger, or sampling
tube obtain soil from the surface through the primary rooting zone of the crop.
Rooting depth will vary with crop type. For most plants the top 6-8 inches is
appropriate. For established grasses sample the top 3-4 inches.
6. Place each of the 6-12 randomly spaced
samplings in a clean container (pail or bag) and mix thoroughly. Spread the
mixture out on a clean paper to air-dry (do not place soil in an oven).
7. Mix the soil again. Obtain a one cup
measure of the soil mixture and place it in a zip-lock type bag.
8. Label the outside of the bag clearly with
your name, address, and a sample ID.
University
of
Massachusetts
Soil Test Price List (2002)
A. Soil Ph Test: Provides a simple
soil pH test and an estimate of how much lime , sulfur, or other additive is
needed to correct soil pH. $3.00
B. Standard Soil Test: Provides pH,
Buffer pH, Extractable Nutrients, Extractable Heavy Metals (eg. Lead), Cation
Exchange Capacity, and Percent Base Saturation . Recommendations for nutrient
and pH adjustment are included with results. $8.00
C. Standard Soil Test w/ Organic
Matter: Same as Standard Soil Test plus a determination and interpretation
of the Percent Organic Matter in the soil sample. $12.00
D. Soil Texture Test (only) Provides a
determination of the USDA Textural Classification by combined Hydrometer
Analysis of silts and clays and Dry Sieving of sands. Results presented in
tabular format. This test does not include the Standard Soil Test. $35.00
E. Soluble SaltsTest: Provides a
measure of Electrical Conductivity of a 1:2 (soil:water) extract. $3.00
For a complete listing of Testing Services
for Soils, as well as those for Plant Tissue, Composts, and Fertilizers, call
the lab at (413) 545-2311.
Data Source: http://www.state.ma.us/dfa/waterwellbeing/soil_needs.htm