Soil Sample and Analysis.hamlin

8/12/2019 Soil Sample and Analysis.hamlin

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Soil SamplingFor

Home Landscape andGarden

Developed by:

Dr. Teri Hamlin

Georgia Department of Education


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Purpose

Determining the

fertility level of a soil

through a soil test is

the first step in

planning a sound

lime and fertilization

program for thehome landscape and

garden.


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Maintain Soil Fertility

Soil testing is any

chemical or physical

measurement that is

done on soil.

It is indispensable in

establishing and

maintaining a SoilFertility Program.


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The Soil Testing Laboratory

Soil tests such as thoseconducted by the

University of GeorgiaSoil Testing and Plant

Analysis Laboratory willhelp you develop andmaintain a more

productive soil byproviding informationabout the fertility statusof your soil.


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Lime & Fertilizer Recommendations

Information from a soil test

will help you select the

proper liming and fertilization

program to obtain optimal

growth of lawn, garden and

ornamental plants.
http://www.lawnfertilizers.com/


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Procedure

One of the most important steps in soil

testing is collecting the sample. Soil test results can be no better than the

sample submitted to the laboratory for

analysis.

A soil sample weighing about 1 pound isused to represent thousands of pounds of

soil in the landscape or garden.


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A Good Soil Sample Should Be

Representative of the Area


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Procedure

Take soil from a minimum of 10 random

locations (x) in the sampled area and mixtogether in a clean bucket.

For trees and shrubs, take soil from six to

eight spots around the drip line of the plantsand mix.


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Do Not Contaminate the Sample

Use clean sampling tools and containers.

Never use tools or containers that have beenused for mixing or applying fertilizer or

limestone. A small amount of residue on

containers can cause serious contamination

of the sample.


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Sample to the Proper Depth

Remove any surface

litter such as turf thatch

or mulch.

For lawns, sample to a

depth of 4 inches.

For gardens,

ornamentals and fruittrees, sample to a

depth of 6 inches.


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Tools

Use a trowel or

sampling tube to collect

soil samples.


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Tools

To use a trowel or spade, push the tool tothe desired depth into the soil.

Then push the handle forward, with thetrowel or spade still in the soil, to make awide opening.

Cut a thin slice from the side of the openingthat is of uniform thickness -- about inchthick and 2 inches wide, extending from thetop of the ground to the depth of the cut


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Soil Samples Should Be Carefully

Mixed and Packaged

All cores taken for a

given sample should be

collected in a cleanbucket and thoroughly

mixed.


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Soil Sample Bag

Fill the soil sample bag to the

indicated line with the mixed soil.

Supply all the information asked

for on the soil sample bag.

List your Nameand Address,

Plant to Be Grown, Sample

Number


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Soil Sample Bag

On the bag, indicate

tests desired by

checking the properbox.

For lawns, gardens and

shrubs, a routine test

will suffice.


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Laboratory Tests and Fees

Routine Tests:pH, L.R., Soil Test P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn

Micronutrient Tests:Boron (B)

Other Tests: Organic Matter Content, Soluble Salts, NitrateContent

Commercial Greenhouse or Nursery Soil Test:pH, SolubleSalts, NH4, NO3, P, K, Ca, Mg


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Routine Test for Lawns & Gardens

Routine Test:pH, Lime Requirement (L.R.),

Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium(Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn),

Zinc (Zn)

Routinely recommended for all commercial

field and vegetable crops as well as homelawns and gardens


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County Extension Office

Samples should be dropped off at your

county extension office for mailing to the

laboratory.
http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/


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Soil Analysis Lab

Sample Receiving

The soil samplesare

organized in a set of

100 and are logged in

with lab numbers in the

order they are received.


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Soil Analysis Lab

Preparing the Samples for Analysis- A "blank"

and two "check" samples are placed in each set for

quality control.


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Soil Analysis Lab

Drying Racks

The samples are dried at

room temperature with a fan

or at a low temperature (if

they are very wet) on dryingracks


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Soil Analysis Lab

Grinding the Samples

With one pass through a"grinder" each sample is

broken up and sieved

through a 10-mesh screen


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Soil Analysis Lab

Checking the Forms

The order of the samples is double checked

against the sample submission forms in each set.

The forms are then taken to the data processorwho enters the name and address information

along with the lab numbers into the database.

After the samples are analyzed, the data iselectronically merged with the other informationfrom the forms to generate the final soil test report.


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Report

Report Format

The report for each sampleincludes results, calculations,

and recommendations andcomments for up to four cropsor landscape areas.

Recommendations can beobtained in lbs/acre or lbs/100

or 1000 square feet by usingdifferent crop codes.


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When and How Often Should

Soils Be Tested?

Soils can be tested any time during the year;

however, be sure to sample well in advance

of planting or spring green-up.

Generally, fall is the most desirable time to

sample soils, because landscapes and

gardens are usually dry and easilyaccessible.


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When and How Often Should Soils Be

Tested?

Soils should be dry enough to till when

sampling.

Once medium or high fertility levels are

established:

lawn and ornamental areas only need to be

sampled every two to three years vegetable gardens should be sampled every one

to two years


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Record Keeping

Keep previous soil test results for each areaand refer to them when you plan limestone

and fertilizer applications.

Periodic soil sampling of each area will helpdetermine whether you are following a soilbuildup or soil depletion program.

If a sound soil testing program is notfollowed, a deficiency or an excess infertilization rates can result.


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