Soil Sampling for Gardeners
go.ncsu.edu/readext?662751
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲
It is spring and many folks are beginning their annual gardening traditions. One important task that gardeners can perform right now is to conduct a soil test. Without a soil test, it is difficult to make recommendations for improving soil fertility because there is no reference point from which to start.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Division provides this service to all N.C. residents. Upon completion, samples are available online through the Public Access Laboratory System (PALS). Sample reports are generally easy to read, but if you need assistance interpreting results, please contact the Extension office.
Since plants cannot move, they must use their roots to search out nutrients in soil. Within soil are 14 essential nutrients that plants require. The other three nutrients, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, are found in water and air. If one of these nutrients is lacking, plant growth will decrease, no matter if other nutrients are provided in abundance. A soil test will help to identify nutrient deficiencies and offer recommendations to optimize growth.
Soil pH is another important measurement that is provided with a soil test. Soil pH affects the availability of soil nutrients, which might become inaccessible or toxic if soil pH is too low (acidic) or too high (basic). A soil test will identify a pH range for your specific crop and offer recommendations if adjustments are needed.
To complete a soil test, you must first collect 10-20 small, random samples from your yard or garden, from a depth of 4-6 inches (a core or slice of soil from the surface to the specified depth). This is best achieved by walking a pattern across the sample area and randomly collecting samples along the way. These samples are then mixed together to represent the larger area and placed into a sample collection box. This box requires your name, address and sample ID, which will correspond to a sample submission form that will accompany the sample during submission.
Sample boxes and submission forms are available through my office and I can assist with the collection process if needed. Sample reports should be available in about one-week in the spring, but several weeks may be needed during winter months. Samples should be mailed to the Agronomic lab using the address provided on the form. For more information on completing this submission, review the NCDS&CS sample instructions.
Liming recommendations should be sufficient for 2-3 years and fertilizer recommendations provide all the nutrients required for the single growing season of the specified crop.
Before we get too far into the spring, take the time to consider a soil sample. Soil sampling is a cheap and effective tool to help maximize plant health and growth. If you would like more information about this subject, please contact Daniel Simpson at (252) 745-4121 or send me an email at Daniel_simpson@ncsu.edu.