- 1). Purchase a container that holds at least 2 cups of soil for each section of the landscape for which you are needing a sample. For example, you will take a separate test for the lawn and vegetable garden. The containers should be leak-proof, have a tight-fitting lid and be non-breakable because the sample will be sent through the mail.
- 2). Label a clean bucket and leak-proof container for each soil sample you are preparing to take to avoid mixing up the samples.
- 3). Remove organic matter on top of the soil and dig a narrow hole, or core, with a clean garden trowel 6 inches deep in the sample area, if you are sampling a vegetable or flower garden. If you are sampling a lawn, make the core 3 inches deep. The core, or sample, can be as small as 1 inch across. The soil should not be muddy or waterlogged.
Take the soil test from areas that represent a cross-section of the area to be sampled. For example, avoid taking the sample from an area along a gravel driveway or near a compost pile. Look for soil that is similar in color. - 4). Place the core sample in its appropriate clean bucket. Repeat the core collection process in 12 different places in the sample area. Place each of the core samples from each sampling area in the same bucket. Use a different bucket for each sample collection area. For example, use a separate clean bucket for samples taken from the lawn and the vegetable garden.
- 5). Mix the soil from the core samples taken from each sampling area together in each designated bucket. Pour the mixed core samples in the appropriately labeled leak-proof container. Seal the container.
- 6). Take the soil sample to your local county or parish agricultural extension office.
- 7). Fill out the paperwork needed to have the soil tested. The paperwork is provided by the extension office. The extension office will send the sample to the appropriate lab and the results will be mailed to you.
Source...