Soil Testing

Why soil test?

When you call the extension office with a problem in your garden or landscape, one of the first questions we will ask is if you have had your soil tested. We ask because nutrient deficiencies and high or low pH values can often have adverse affects on plants and can be easily fixed most of the time.

What does the soil test report provide?

The UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories (ANSERV Labs) have two test types listed on the Landscape and Vegetable Garden Test Form. Test A is the pH and Lime Requirement Test and Test B is the Standard Soil Fertility Test. Both tests indicate the soil pH and lime requirement. Test B also indicates the values of the following nutrients in the soil sample: phosphorous (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Nitrogen cannot be tested because there are many factors that influence the amount of nitrogen that is present at any given time. Instead, nitrogen recommendations will be given for the selected crops to be grown based on field experiments and current research.

What doesn't the soil test report provide?

The ANSERV Labs in Gainesville do not test for disease, insects, or fungal issues. They also do not test for heavy metals. This test can be done through the Agricultural and Environmental

Services Lab at the University of Georgia (UGA), though there are few sites where it is necessary. Although, if you are gardening on a former industrial site, for example, it would be advisable to get a test through a lab such UGA's before you eat any vegetables produced on the site.

The North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy has a plant pathology lab that can help you determine if your plants have a disease.

Soil Testing Instructions

• Obtain a soil testing bag and form from UF/IFAS Extension.

• To collect your sample, it is recommended that you divide your area into 10 to 15 sections and collect a small amount of soil from each section. For vegetable gardens, take your mini-samples from the upper 6 inches of the soil.

• Mix your mini-samples together in a clean container, such as a plastic bucket.

• If your soil sample is wet, lay it out to air dry before transferring it to the soil testing bag.

• Fill the soil testing bag to the fill line indicated on the bag (about 1 cup of soil).

• If you are collecting multiple samples from different areas or sites, please make sure to label each sample on both the bag and the form so that you know which sample came from which area (ex. front yard, back yard).

• While filling out the form please make sure to indicate your county (ex. Leon), because in addition to you receiving your results in 7-10 business days, horticulture staff from your county's extension office will also receive the soil test results in case you have any questions regarding the results.

• Be sure to choose either Test A or Test B on the Landscape and Vegetable Garden Test Form.

• Place your soil sample bag, completed form, and payment (check, money order, or cash) in a box and mail your sample to the UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories Extension Soil Testing Laboratory. The address (which is also listed on the form): 2390 Mowry Road/PO Box 110740/Wallace Building 631 Gainesville, FL 32611-0740

Below is the soil test form you will need to send to Gainesville with your soil sample. You can download it here.