re: FYI

With spring approaching, I thought this might help some of usSoil Testing is an Excellent Investment for Garden Plants and Commercial Crops, HYG-1132-99
 
Ohio State University Extension Factsheet
Horticulture and Crop Science
2001 Fyffe Court, Columbus, OH 43210-1096
 
 
 
Soil Testing is an Excellent Investment for Garden Plants and Commercial Crops
HYG-1132-99
Gary Gao
Horticulture Extension Agent
Clermont County
 
Joe Boggs
Horticulture Extension Agent
Hamilton County
 
Jim Chatfield
District Specialist and Assistant State Specialist
Northeast District, and Horticulture and Crop Science
 
The soil test is an excellent measure of soil fertility. It is a very
inexpensive way of maintaining good plant health and maximum crop productivity.
The standard soil test provides the status of phosphorous (P), potassium (K),
calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), pH, cation exchange capacity, lime requirement
index, and base saturation. Additional tests are also available for iron (Fe),
zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), soluble salts, and nitrates.
The Research and Extension Analytical Laboratory (REAL-LAB) run by The Ohio
State University was closed in December 1998. However, there are several
commercial labs that offer the same or similar tests as were used by the
REAL-LAB. There are also soil and tissue testing labs administered by land grant
universities such as Michigan State University, Penn State University, and the
University of Kentucky. For a fee, most of these labs will test soil, soilless
media, plant tissue, compost, and water. The amount of fertilizers, timing of
fertilization, and amount of soil pH modifying agents such as lime, will be
given according to the type of crop, based on soil test results. Refer to Table
1. for a list of these soil and tissue testing labs in Ohio and neighboring
states.
Why Do I Need to Soil Test?
Soil fertility fluctuates throughout the growing season each year. The quantity
and availability of mineral nutrients are altered by the addition of
fertilizers, manure, compost, mulch, and lime or sulfur, in addition to
leaching. Furthermore, a large quantity of mineral nutrients are removed from
soils as a result of plant growth and development, and the harvesting of crops.
The soil test will determine the current fertility status. It also provides the
necessary information needed to maintain the optimum fertility year after year.
Some plants grow well over a wide range of soil pH, while others grow best
within a narrow range of pH. Most turfgrasses, flowers, ornamental shrubs,
vegetables, and fruits grow best in slightly acid soils which represent a pH of
6.1 to 6.9. Plants such as rhododendron, azalea, pieris, mountain laurel, and
blueberries require a more acidic soil to grow well. A soil test is the only
precise way to determine whether the soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.
Most soil nutrients are readily available when soil pH is at 6.5. When pH rises
above this value, nutrient elements such as phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper,
and zinc will become less available. When soil pH drops below 6.5, manganese can
reach a toxicity level for some sensitive plants.
The soil test takes the guesswork out of fertilization and is extremely cost
effective. It not only eliminates the waste of money spent on unnecessary
fertilizers, but also eliminates over-usage of fertilizers, hence helping to
protect the environment.
When Do I Soil Test?
Soil samples can be taken in the spring or fall for established sites. For new
sites, soil samples can be taken anytime when the soil is workable. Most people
conduct their soil tests in the spring. However, fall is a preferred time to
take soil tests if one wants to avoid the spring rush and suspects a soil pH
problem. Fall soil testing will allow you ample time to apply lime to raise the
soil pH. Sulfur should be applied in the spring if the soil pH needs to be
lowered.
How Frequently Should I Soil Test?
A soil test every two to three years is usually adequate. Sample more frequently
if you desire a closer monitoring of the fertility levels, or if you grow plants
that are known to be heavy feeders.
What Soil Sampling Tools Do I Need?
A soil sample is best taken with a soil probe or an auger. Soils should be
collected in a clean plastic pail or box. These tools help ensure an equal
amount of soil to a definite depth at the sampling site. However, a spade,
knife, or trowel can also be used to take thin slices or sections of soil.
How Do I Take Soil Samples?
  Remove the top debris, residue, or turf thatch from the soil surface before
  taking the sample.
  Sample gardens, trees, shrubs, flower beds, and orchards 6-8 inches deep.
  For the lawn, lift the sod and sample 3 inches deep.
  Sample a row crop field or garden between rows to avoid fertilizer bands.
  Sample when soils are suitable for spading or plowing.
  Take separate samples from fields that have received different fertility
  programs.
  Take separate samples from soils that are distinguishable by color (i.e. light
  vs. dark), drainage, or other factors.
The test results are only as good as the sample taken. It is extremely important
to provide a representative sample to the testing lab so that a reliable test
and recommendations can be made for the entire area. This can be accomplished by
submitting a composite sample. A good representative composite sample should
contain 10-15 cores or slices. Each core or slice should be taken at the same
depth and volume at each site. Sample at random in a zigzag pattern over the
area and mix the sample together in a clean plastic bucket.
More samples need to be taken if the area was recently limed or fertilized.
Separate samples need to be taken from lawns, gardens, flower beds, or shrub
borders. Separate samples should be taken from areas with distinctive soil types
or plant performances.
How to Prepare Soil Samples for Submission
  Contact a soil testing lab for instructions, soil test kits, and appropriate
  forms.
  Break up lumps and air dry the soil at room temperature with no artificial
  heat.
  When the soil is dry, mix well and crush soil lumps to the size of wheat
  grains or smaller.
  Take about one pint of the composite sample and place it in the sample bag
  associated with the kit.
Where Do I Send My Soil Sample?
You need to mail soil sample(s), completed sample form(s), and appropriate
payment to the soil testing lab you selected. Generally, soil testing labs will
provide a complete set of instructions, either with sample kits or upon request.
Follow the instructions carefully.
How Long Does the Soil Test Take?
Soil test results and fertilizer recommendations are usually mailed in two
weeks, depending on the labs you work with. Make sure you fill out the form for
the types of plants you grow or will be growing. Otherwise, no recommendations
will be given. Indicate whether the crop is planted, or is to be planted.
Incomplete forms may cause delays in receiving results and recommendations.
What Kinds of Soil Tests Are Available?
The kinds of available tests vary with different soil and tissue testing labs.
Some of the common tests are lawn and garden test, horticultural soil test,
agronomic soil test, and soilless media test. Refer to Table 1 for a suggested
partial list of soil and tissue testing labs and the types of tests available in
Ohio and neighboring states. The types of tests that individual labs offer could
change without notice. Check with the lab for current tests available. The
following list was provided by Dr. Maurice Watson with the School of Natural
Resources, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State
University. The inclusion of a lab on this list does not necessarily imply any
endorsement by Ohio State University Extension, nor does the exclusion of a lab
imply any condemnation. Hence, Ohio State University Extension does not assume
any liabilities associated with the selection and use of these labs. Table
      1. A List of Soil and Tissue Testing Labs and the Types of Materials
      Tested.
      Name, Address, and Phone Number of Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Labs
      Types of Materials Tested
      Soil and Plant Nutrient Laboratory
      MSU Extension Service
      Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
      Michigan State University
      East Lansing, MI 48824-1325
      Phone: (517)355-0218
      Soil, soilless media, plant tissue, compost, nutrient solutions, water,
      and other special analysis upon request.
      Agricultural Analytical Service Laboratory
      Penn State University
      University Park, PA 16802
      Phone: (814)863-4540
      Soil, soilless media, plant tissue, manure, compost, sludge, and other
      special analysis upon request.
      Soil Testing Laboratory
      University of Kentucky
      103 Regulatory Service Building
      Alumni & Shawneetown Roads
      Lexington, KY 40546-0275
      Phone: (606)257-7355
      Soil, soilless media, plant tissue, compost, nutrient solutions, water,
      and other special analysis upon request
      Alloway Testing
      508 Bissman CT.
      Mansfield, OH 44906
      Phone: (419)223-1362 (Lima)
      Phone: (419)535-1644 (Mansfield)
      Soil, manure, sludge, water, and other special analysis upon request.
      A & L Great Lakes Lab
      3505 Conestoga Drive
      Fort Wayne, IN 46808
      Phone: (219)483-4759
      Soil, soilless media, plant tissue, feed, manure, compost, sludge,
      nutrient solutions, water, and other special analysis upon request.
      Brookside Labs
      308 S. Main Street
      New Knoxville, OH 45871
      Phone: (419)753-2488
      Soil, soilless media, plant tissue, feed, manure, compost, sludge,
      nutrient solutions, water, and other special analysis upon request.
      CLC Labs
      325 Venture Drive
      Westerville, OH 43081
      Phone: (614)888-1663
      Soil, plant tissue, water, and other special analysis upon request.
      Calmar Lab
      130 S State Street
      Westerville, OH 43081
      Phone: (614)523-1005
      Soil, soilless media, and plant tissue.
      Countrymark/Land O'Lake
      Affiliated Local Cooperatives
      950 N. Meridian St.
      Indianapolis, IN 46204
      Phone: (317)685-3000
      Soil and feed.
      Holmes Lab
      3559 U.S. Rt. 62
      Millersburg, OH 44654
      Phone: (800)344-1101 or (330)893-2933
      Soil, feed, manure, and water.
      Na-Churs
      421 Leader Street
      Marion, OH 43302
      Phone: (800)622-4877
      Soil, plant tissue, feed, manure, water, and other special analysis upon
      request.
      Ream & Haager Laboratory
      1226 Kaderly Street
      New Philadelphia, OH 44663
      Phone: (330)343-3711
      Soil and other special analysis upon request.
      Spectrum Analytical, Inc.
      P.O. Box 639
      Washington Courthouse, OH 43160
      Phone: (800)321-1562
      Soil, soilless media, plant tissue, feed, manure, compost, sludge,
      nutrient solutions, water, and other special analysis upon request.
      Woodsen-Tenent
      313 Helena Street
      P.O. Box 164
      Dayton, OH 45404
      Phone: (937)222-4179
      Types of Materials Tested
      Feed and other special analysis upon request.
 
The authors would like to thank Jane Martin and Maurice Watson for reviewing
this fact sheet.
 
 
 
  All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are
  available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race,
  color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age,
  disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
  Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU
  Extension.
  TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868
 
 
 

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