Soil, Testing
How can I do a soil sample and where do I send it?
A soil test can provide information on the proper amount of lime and fertilizer to apply to your lawn, garden and other areas of your landscape. When gardeners apply only as much lime and fertilizer as is necessary and at the appropriate time, nutrient runoff into surface or ground water is minimized, money is saved, and plant health is optimized. Soil testing can also be used to diagnose common nutrient deficiencies or toxicities for plants that are growing poorly.
The reliability of the soil test, however, can be no better than the sample you submit. For results you can depend on, it is vitally important that you take samples correctly to accurately represent the soil in your landscape. Use the instructions in the reference below to
obtain a representative soil sample and to submit it for analysis to the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory. It is very important to do the sampling correctly to assure you get a good cross section of the soil you are testing. For example, you would want to do a separate test on your turf, your shrub beds and your garden since Virginia Tech will give you recommendations based on they type of plants you are growing.A soil sample box along with instructions are available at the extension office in Toano (behind the fire station). The address to send the soil sample to, and the cost (currently about $7.00) are on the instructions.
The extension office is located at 3127 Forge Road, P. O. Box 69 Toano, VA 23168
Phone: (757) 564-2170 Fax: (757) 566-8143 Help Desk (757) 564-2175
There are separate instructions for testing soil for a commercial operation. Commercial operations should contact the local extension office for instructions and a sample box.
Reference(s):
