Soil Sample – How To

Taking soil samples is an important step in maintaining soil health and maximizing your plant growth. Good crop, grass and landscape production often require the application of fertilizer and lime in the spring so late winter soil sampling will help you prepare for what you need to apply. Understanding the makeup of the soil will help you maximize growth and minimize input cost.

Soil sampling will help you understand the makeup of your soil. The samples can determine current pH levels, fertility levels of principle nutrients (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus), and nutrients that need to be added to your soil. Knowing these things about your soil will help you figure out the amount of fertilizer and lime your crops and soil need. When taking soil samples, it is important to know that they will not give you recommendations on what crops to grow. Poor crops caused by drought, disease, insect damage and the use of too much water are not able to be detected by soil samples.

When taking soil samples, it is important to understand the different areas of crop growth, soil color, and fertilizer and lime history. Knowing this information will help you divide your field or lawn into areas for sampling. You will need to take 10-15 core samples of the area you are wanting to fertilize. When collecting the core samples avoid wet spots, feeding areas, fence rows, under trees and areas of high foot or vehicle traffic. Samples can be taken with a sampling tube, auger, shovel or trowel. Field or pasture samples should be taken at a depth of 6 inches and lawns should be taken at a depth of 3 inches. After the 10-15 core samples have been taken, mix them together and place the composite sample in a small bag. It is important to name the sample areas on the bags.

The Jefferson County Extension Office Agriculture Agent can help with taking soil samples and testing. Appropriate information sheets, submission forms and sample bags are available at the Extension Office. There is a small fee of $3 or $10 per sample depending on which test you would like. Once samples are sent in to the University of Florida’s soil testing lab, the results will take a few weeks to get back to you. Consult with the Agriculture Agent if you need help interpreting the test results or fertilizer recommendations.

Please reach out to the Jefferson County Extension Office with any questions or assistance regarding soil sampling.

Ben Hoffner – Horticulture/ Ag & Natural Resources Agent

Contact – b.hoffner@ufl.edu or (850) 342-0187

For more information:

• Soil Testing – Solutions for Your Life – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS