What exactly is a soil test? What kind of things does it test for? Can you find if certain minerals are in the soil? Who does it? Does it cost anything? I was wanting to know because I am interested in starting my own plot. Thanks in advance

I'll trty and explain. If I don't get all the answers you are looking for, others here will add.

Soil tests are run by your local County extension agent thru an ag college or university. Go see him and he will tell you how to get a sample, how to package it. You will have to fill out a paper listing the crops you plan to plant. When it comes back, it will list the following:

Soil Ph. A neutral reading would be 7.0
Extractable nutrients levels (ls/acre, P=Phosphorus; K=Potassium; CA=Calcium; MG=Magnesium; S=Sulfur: Zn=Zinc; NA=Sodium.
Next will be a a CEC rating.

Then it will list the recommended Lime per acre. (Tons/Acre.).
Then they will list the plant nutrients needed in Pounds per Acre, for the N, P, K. Then it shows the recommended fertilizer ie. 10-10-10. (My recent test called for 0-46-0 as I had specified Clover as the crop.)

The soil test cost may run from $8-$20 per test.
They also recommended that I add 1-1.5 lbs per acre of Boron.

This is based on the soil test that I had done for my Clover plot.
Hope this helps.

Russ

when they tell you the amount of lime per acre, they are assuming you have 100% lime. the stuff i can get from a quarry for $6/ton is 62% EC. so if my soil test recommends 2000 lbs of lime per acre, i would need to buy around 3200 lbs of lime from the quarry. also, the soil test is assuming you are incorporating the lime in the top 6" of the soil. if you are doing less than 6" (like 5, 4, 3 or 2 inches) there is a percentage chart that comes with the test to tell you how much less lime you would need for a corresponding lower depth of incorporation.

the soil test can also list organic content if you want it. i know some preplant herbicide application rates can vary depending on the organic content of the soil. when it's around 5-10%, the application rate increases by about 33% (but don't quote me on this, read your label).

I am an agronomist which is a soil and crop science specialist. If you have any questions about your test when you get it back feel free to ask.. Your question above, the other guys pretty much covered it in a general term.... I could write a book for you on soil testing.