Home & Garden Tips
Fall is the best time to soil test
By Roosevelt McWilliams County Extension Agent

Soil tests can be done at any time of the year but the best time to soil test is in the fall. This is when the nutrient levels in the soil are at their lowest. If we maintain the soils' nutrient levels so that they meet the crops' needs in the fall then the crops will do well during the rest of the year.

Farmers and successful gardeners know the importance of soil testing. Developing and maintaining productive soils begin with soil test. Soil tests provide information of the soil's actual nutrient status. Test results are used to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth of lawn, garden, and other types of plants.

When and how to apply nutrients are only as good as the soil sample submitted for analysis. To obtain a representative soil sample, the following steps are useful: Identify sampling locations

zones), determine the sampling depths, use the right sampling tools, sample at the right time, and handle the samples accordingly.

You should map out the area where the plants are to be grown or are presently growing. This will help in record keeping and ensure that the soil is taken from throughout the entire area. Divide the area such that each soil sample represents one plant type or condition.

You should use a zigzag approach when taking samples. Col-

collect samples. lect 8-10 soil samples from each

Clear the ground surface of location (zone). For trees and

grass thatch or mulch. If you use shrubs, take soil samples from six

a trowel, push it to the desired to eight spots around the dripline

depth into the soil. Push the of the plants.

handle forward, with the spade

The depth of sampling depends

still in the soil to make a wide on the type of plants being grown.

opening. Then cut a thin slice For lawns, sample to a depth of 4

from the side of the opening that inches. For gardens, ornamentals,

is of uniform thickness, approximately mixed fruit trees, and wildlife

inch thick and 2 inches plots, collect sample to a depth of

in width, extending from the top 6 inches.

of the ground to the depth of the

Soil sampling should be done

cut. Collect from several locations. well in advance of planting or

Combine and mix them in spring green-up. This allows adequate

a plastic bucket to avoid metal time for analysis, data interpretation,

contamination. Take about a pint fertilizer and lime

of the mixed soil and put it into application. You should use clean

the UGA soil sample bag. Be sure sampling tools and containers to

to identify the sample clearly on avoid contaminating the soil

the bag. sample. Never use tools or containers

You should bring it your local that have been used for

County Extension Office. The fertilizer or lime. Tools like towels,

cost of the sample is $6 per shovels, spades, hand probes

sample. or hand augers may be used to