How to Take a Soil Sample

Summary

This video explains the importance of proper soil sampling for accurate fertilization and liming recommendations. It walks through the necessary equipment, techniques, and procedures, including taking samples to a depth of 6 inches, collecting 10-15 subsamples, and ensuring thorough mixing. Key details on labeling samples with essential information like crop type and contact info are covered. The video also discusses optimal sampling times and frequencies, emphasizing consistency and the role of soil tests in making precise fertilizer decisions. Proper soil sampling is crucial for ensuring accurate soil analysis and effective crop management.

Takeaways

• 😀 Soil sampling is essential for accurate fertilization and lime recommendations for crops.
• 😀 A proper soil sample starts with using the right equipment like a sharp shooter or shovel.
• 😀 The correct sampling depth is 6 inches to reflect accurate nutrient levels in the soil.
• 😀 To get a reliable sample, collect 10-15 subsamples from different spots in the field.
• 😀 After collecting the samples, mix them thoroughly to ensure uniformity before sending them to the lab.
• 😀 Only about a pint of the soil mixture needs to be sent to the lab for analysis, so don’t overfill.
• 😀 Label your sample with necessary information: your name, contact details, sample ID, and crop type.
• 😀 For fields with problem areas, sample these separately to avoid skewed results.
• 😀 If you're sampling frequently, consider investing in a specialized soil sampling probe for efficiency.
• 😀 Soil sampling should be done consistently at the same time each year for accurate comparisons over time.
• 😀 pH, phosphorus, and potassium levels can be sampled every three years, while nitrate-nitrogen requires more frequent testing.

Q & A

Why is taking a soil sample important for growing crops or plants?

Taking a soil sample is important because it helps determine how much fertilizer or lime is needed for optimal growth. Without this information, it is impossible to make accurate fertilization or liming recommendations.

What are the basic tools needed to collect a soil sample?

To collect a soil sample, you will need a digging implement, such as a sharp shooter or shovel, and a container to mix and store the soil sample. A specialized soil sampling probe is also an option for frequent samplers.

What is the correct depth for taking a soil sample, and why?

The correct depth for a general nutrient analysis is 6 inches. Nutrients are stratified in the soil, with more nutrients in the upper 6 inches. Sampling deeper or shallower than this could lead to inaccurate results.

How can you ensure you are consistently sampling at the correct depth?

You can use a soil sampling probe with a marked depth indicator, such as electrical tape, to ensure you are sampling at the correct 6-inch depth every time.

What is the difference between a core and a sample?

A core is a subsample of soil taken from a specific spot, while a sample consists of multiple cores (10 to 15) combined to represent a larger area.

How should the soil cores be prepared for sending to the lab?

After collecting 10 to 15 cores, mix them thoroughly in a container to ensure a uniform sample. Then, transfer about a pint of the mixed soil into a sample bag for submission to the lab.

What basic information is needed when submitting a soil sample to the lab?

When submitting a sample, you need to provide your name, address, phone number, a unique ID for the sample, and information about the crop you are growing.

Why is it important to differentiate between different samples when submitting them to the lab?

Differentiating between samples is crucial because different areas in the field may require different fertilization and liming recommendations, based on soil variability.

What should you do if there is an odd or problem area in your field?

Sample any problem areas separately to avoid skewing the results for the rest of the field. If it's a small area, take 10 to 15 cores from it, just like in a regular sample.

How often should soil samples be taken?

For general nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and pH, soil samples should be taken every 3 years. However, if you are testing for nitrate-nitrogen, samples should be taken within 30 days of fertilization, as nitrogen levels can change quickly.