How-to Video:

COLLECT

Everything you need to collect a soil sample is included.

• Collecting a soil sample from your lawn.
  • Use soil that is not freshly fertilized. If soil is wet, air dry on clean paper or other suitable material.
    • Identify 4 different areas of your lawn that represent the front, back and side yard area you wish to test.
    • Dig 2 inches to 4 inches deep. Take soil samples from each area at this level.
    • Fill soil bag to the “Fill Line.” Use the postage-paid envelope to mail the soil sample to the lab.
• Collecting a soil sample from your garden.
  • Use soil that is not freshly fertilized. If soil is wet, air dry on clean paper or other suitable material.
    • Identify 4 different areas of your garden that represent the area you wish to test.
    • Dig 2 inches to 4 inches deep. Take soil samples from each area at this level.
    • Fill soil bag to the “Fill Line.” Use the postage-paid envelope to mail the soil sample to the lab.
• Collecting a soil sample from a problem area in your lawn or garden.
  • Use soil that is not freshly fertilized. If soil is wet, air dry on clean paper or other suitable material.
  • Each problem area that differs in appearance, plant growth, or past treatment should be sampled separately.
    • Locate the problem area in your lawn or garden you wish to test.
    • Dig 2 inches to 4 inches deep. Take the soil sample from this level.
    • Fill soil bag to the “Fill Line.” Use the postage-paid envelope to mail the soil sample to the lab.

MAIL IN

Mail in your collected sample in the pre-paid mailing envelope.

LAB TESTING

Our leading national agriculture lab will test your soil.

RESULTS

Lab results and treatment recommendations are delivered to you.

WHAT DO THE ITEMS ON THE SOIL REPORT MEAN?

MACRONUTRIENTS: Two groups of macronutrients; Primary and Secondary.

• Primary: Plants use large amounts for growth and survival.
  •  Nitrogen (N): Fuel for plant, cell formation, responsible for photosynthesis.
  •  Phosphorus (P): Cell formation, root health, encourages bloom, transforms solar energy into chemical energy.
  •  Potassium (K): Root health, water regulation, photosynthesis, reduction of diseases, increases size and quality of fruits.
•  Secondary: Needed in moderate amounts.
  • Calcium (Ca): Essential part of plant cell wall structure, strength in plant, used in root system and leaf development.
  • Magnesium (Mg): Activates many plant enzymes needed for growth, central atom of the chlorophyll molecule which makes it necessary for photosynthesis.

MICRONUTRIENTS: Elements essential for plant growth which are needed only in very small (micro) quantities.

• Boron (B): Aids in production of sugar and carbohydrates, essential for germination of pollen grains and pollen tubes.
• Copper (Cu): Important for reproductive growth, catalyst for other plant reactions.
• Iron (Fe): Essential for formation of chlorophyll, carries oxygen, critical to photosynthesis.
• Manganese (Mn): Involved in breakdown of carbohydrates and nitrogen metabolism.
• Zinc (Zn): Essential for transformation of carbohydrates, regulates consumption of sugars.

ORGANIC MATTER: According to the USDA, “Soil organic matter (SOM) is the organic component of soil consisting of three primary components: small (fresh) plant residues with small living soil organisms, decomposing (active) organic matter, and stable organic matter (humus).” A healthy range is 2-6%.

CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY: An indication of the soil’s ability to hold or absorb the cations or fertilizer that is applied. The higher the CEC, the more nutrients the soil will hold.

pH: Measures the acidity of alkalinity in the soil. The industry standard for neutral is 7.

BUFFER pH: Indication of the soil’s ability to resist a pH change. The higher the buffer pH reading, the smaller amount of lime is required to raise the soil pH. To lower the pH use sulfur.