SOIL TESTING

Collecting Soil Samples for Testing 

Soil Testing Labs

To grow good plants, you need good soil. The only way to tell what your soil really needs is to take a soil test. Applying too much fertilizer could be detrimental to your plants. You could waste money or pollute the environment. Adding too little fertilizer or the wrong fertilizer could produce little or no results. Therefore, for optimum plant growth, testing your soil pH and nutrient status every 3 to 5 years is highly recommended.

Proper soil sampling techniques are essential to obtain accurate soil test results. Purdue Extension publication HO-71 entitled Collecting Soil Samples for Testing provides specific advice on taking a proper soil sample.

A basic soil test measures phosphorus, potassium, pH, and organic matter. A proper pH is important for nutrient availability to plants. Take the soil sample well before planting so there is time to add what the soil needs. For the most accurate results, use the services of a commercial soil testing lab rather than a soil testing kit. Purdue does not do soil testing for homeowners. You can get your soil tested in central Indiana by contacting one of the following labs. Generally, you need to collect enough soil to fill a plastic sandwich bag. Indicate the type of plants that will be grown in the sampled area (such as lawns, trees and shrubs, flowers, vegetable gardens, or fruit trees). You may want to e-mail or telephone the soil testing labs before sending your soil sample to obtain current soil processing procedures and fees.

Soil Testing Labs

A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.
3505 Conestoga Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46808-4413
Phone: (260) 483-4759
Fax: (260) 483-5274
E-mail: lab@algreatlakes.com
Website:http://www.algreatlakes.com/

Lawn & Garden Soil Analysis, $20.00. Includes Soil pH, Buffer pH, Available Phosphorus, Exchangeable Potassium, Organic Matter, Magnesium, Calcium, Cation Exchange Capacity, and Percent Base Saturation of Cation Elements. Provides graphic display of results and suggested lawn, garden, and landscape fertilizer materials. Once received, the turnaround time for processing samples is 3 working days.

UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab
West Experiment Station
682 North Pleasant Street
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Phone: (413) 545-2311
Fax: (413) 545-1931
E-mail: soiltest@psis.umass.edu
Website: http://soiltest.umass.edu/services

Several different tests are offered by the University of Massachusetts lab, including the following): 1) Standard Soil Test ($10.00) - Provides pH, Buffer pH, Extractable Nutrients, Extractable Heavy Metals (e.g. Lead), Cation Exchange Capacity, and Percent Base Saturation. Recommendations for nutrient and pH adjustment are included with the results. 2) Standard Soil Test with Organic Matter ($15.00) - Same as Standard Soil Test plus a determination and interpretation of the organic matter in the soil sample.
The reference to businesses here does not endorse excluding others that may be similar. Other commercial soil testing labs are welcome to be included with this information. 

Anyone who has a garden in an urban environment should test the soil for lead. Lead can be toxic at high concentrations. Contamination can occur from lead-based paint that chipped off old buildings (prior to 1978) and lead from auto emissions along busy streets. Lead is not presently used in paint and gasoline to any degree, but once lead has been deposited, it does not move much through the soil and can persist for a long time. If you live within the I-465 Interstate loop, test your soil for lead.

Lead Testing in Marion County

Free soil testing for lead is available from: Safe Urban Gardening Initiative, c/o Dr. Gabriel Filippelli, Department of Earth Sciences, IUPUI, 723 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.  Consult the Safe Urban Gardening Initiative: Lead Testing with Map and the Garden Safe Garden Well publication (see Related Files at bottom of page) for information on collecting a sample.

Residents of Marion County can also obtain soil testing for lead by contacting the Marion County Health Department (317-221-2155) for a fee.

Lead Testing outside Marion County: Out-of-county residents should contact their own county health department. Consult local government information for a telephone number. If needed, your Purdue County Extension office can direct you to the proper contact information. Professional soil testing labs can also test your soil for lead.