How to Collect a Soil Sample
Soil is highly variable. Hydrangea flowers like the one pictured here illustrate how small distances translate to big soil differences. Hydrangea flower color is impacted by soil pH. Acidic soil conditions favor blue flowers and basic soils contribute to pink flowers. The inflorescence pictured has both blue and pink flowers, indicating a measurable jump in soil pH just in the root zone of one plant! This highlights how important it is to sample from several locations in the designated area; one scoop of soil does not accurately represent your entire yard.
Follow these steps to get a representative soil sample:
Step one:
Gather the supplies you need: soil probe, spade or shovel, plastic bucket, and sample boxes. MSU soil testing boxes are available to pick up at your local Extension office. Submitting soil samples in quart-sized zip-top bags is also an option.
Step two:
Take soil from the top 4–6 inches (or 2–4 inches for turf) and place in a plastic bucket
Step three:
Collect 15–20 different soil plugs from different places in the defined area. Remove vegetation/turf from the ground surface before collecting soil. Mix all plugs from a designated area together in a plastic bucket.
Step four:
Fill a soil sample box with soil from the bucket. If you have multiple areas that need sampling, repeat the entire collection process.
Step five:
Submit your soil sample.
Watch this helpful video to see the process of collecting a soil sample!
When is the best time to take a soil sample?
Soil samples can be taken anytime throughout the year. It is important, however, to sample approximately the same time of the year. Late summer or early fall is a good time for most crops. Collect soil samples 3–6 months before planting. This way, if you need to apply lime, there is enough time for the liming application to take effect.
How often should soil samples be submitted?
A soil sample should be taken at least once every 3 years, or when there is a change in crop to be grown. A soil sample should also be taken if problems occur during the growing season.
Can samples be taken when soils are wet?
Soil moisture generally does not affect test results, but wet soil can affect the depth of core samples taken. Therefore, allow soil to drain before sampling. If the soil is too wet to till, then it is also too wet to sample.
Publications
News
Early fall is one of the best times to test your soil. A soil test can tell you if your lawn or garden needs critical nutrients and how much. This way, your plants and your wallet will stay healthy. You won’t waste your money applying fertilizer or lime that your plants don’t need.
Sweet potato growers in Mississippi can get free nematode testing of soil samples they send to Mississippi State University from now until Dec. 31, 2024. The samples can be submitted in nematode bags available at local county MSU Extension Service offices; samples are also accepted in quart-sized, sealed plastic bags.
Having healthy soil in your garden results in healthy plants. Whether you’re planting vegetables, flowers, grass, trees, shrubs, or anything in between, a soil sample is the first thing to check off the list. Gathering a soil sample from your landscape and having it tested by MSU Extension’s Soil Testing Lab should be the initial step in any gardening adventure. Plus, it’s pretty easy to do!
Success Stories
Many Clay Countians know Art Sanders as the man who brought an abandoned pecan orchard back to life.
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