soil sample
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 188
soil sample
I had some rain 2 days ago and when I went to take a sample, the soil was still wet. Should I wait and take another sample when it dries out, or can I take the soil that I took and let it dry out in the bucket, before sending it to the lab?
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
RE: soil sample
Take your samples and spread them in empty beer/soda cardboard flats and let them dry. Pick out the rocks and vegetative matter you can and then send the dry sample in to be tested.
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 342
RE: soil sample
I used to run a soil lab for 7+ years, and have tested over 500,000 soil samples. The moisture isn't a problem, the samples will be air dried in an oven at the lab. You should mix the sample in the bucket.The lab probably will not do that for you. Once they have dried out, they are very hard to mix and the lab will only test a portion of your total sample.
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 819
RE: soil sample
ORIGINAL: mossbergman11/OH
is mossy oak biologic soil tests good? and how do you get a good sample?
is mossy oak biologic soil tests good? and how do you get a good sample?
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 342
RE: soil sample
The best way to get a soil sample is with a soil probe. They can be purchased online for about $50. Take 6-10 cores that represent your plot down to 6-7 inches. Mix the soil well in the bucket. Do not sample area that are out of the ordinary- dead tree roots, animal dropings, old roads, etc. If you do not want to buy a soil probe, use a hand trowel to take your samples. If you use a trowel, TRY to get an equal amount of soil from all depths into the bucket. The best soil testwill be done bya lab in your state. They will know what kind of test to run based on the soil normally found in your area. I would tell them the crops you want to grow, and not pay extra for the "wildlife plot" tests. They run the same tests, but just charge you more. Look online for a lab, or ask your county extension.