Spring soil testing tips for Coshocton County

Hello Coshocton County! With spring being in full bloom in Ohio as we get into April, it’s time to start planning your gardens, flower beds, or pastures and crop fields. One easy step you can take to start planning this month is completing a soil sample.

Soil tests provide more helpful information on soils than any other resource. Soil test results can pinpoint plant nutrient needs and can provide recommendations to guide fertilizer applications. Test results also provide information for making plant selections for the “right plant in the right place,” and soil tests also can diagnose what went wrong if good plants go bad.

A standard soil test will provide information on soil pH, lime requirement, and the status of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Knowing these can be useful in maintaining proper soil fertility. This is influenced by the quantity and availability of plant nutrients that are altered by the addition of fertilizers, manure, compost, mulch, and lime or sulfur.

Spring is a great time to do a soil test as it allows you plenty of time to plan what you need for your lawn or garden. Soil samples can be taken any time of the year as long as the soil is workable. When it comes to taking action after the results, it’s important to wait until the appropriate time of year. For example, fall is the best time of the year to make lime application while spring is best for sulfur application. Doing a soil test every two or three years is usually adequate for maintaining soil fertility.

The first step to a soil test is making sure you have the proper tools. There are two essential tools you will need: a soil probe and a plastic bucket.

A soil probe is the easiest tool for taking soil samples. Soil probes extract samples to a consistent depth, which helps with taking multiple samples. Soil probes also are useful for assessing soil moisture and other physical properties of the soil such as compaction. Purchasing a soil probe is a good investment for horticulture professionals and serious gardeners, but if you are a hobby gardener, we have soil probes available to borrow here at the extension office.

If you are unable to use a soil probe, a garden spade can be used as well. You can use a garden spade to take thin slices or sections of soil for gathering soil samples. This tool requires more time and effort for taking precise samples compared to a soil probe. However, they are simple and effective if you are sampling loose soil such as in flowerbeds. They also are the most cost effective for lawns and landscapes if you are only performing tests over small areas every few years.

After taking the soil sample, it should be collected in a clean plastic bucket or box. Metal buckets such as aluminum or zinc-plated buckets should not be used as the metals may contaminate the samples and influence the test results.

Now that you have the tools to conduct a test, here are some helpful tips on taking the actual soil samples. Make sure you are taking samples that are representative of the entire area as soil fertility varies throughout a lawn, landscape or garden.

The number of subsamples depends on the size of the area being tested. In general, five to 10 samples are sufficient for small areas, and 10-15 samples are recommended for larger areas. Subsamples should be taken at random in a zigzag pattern over the entire area and taken at the same depth and soil volume. Once the subsamples of the total area are taken, mix them together to make about one pint in volume to send as a representative sample to the testing lab.

Once the samples are taken, it is time to prepare the samples for submission. There are four steps to preparing to send the soil samples in to the lab:

—Contact a soil testing lab for instructions, soil test kits and appropriate forms. Luckily, we have the kits and paperwork here at the office.

—Break up the lumps and air dry the soil on parchment or butcher paper at room temperature with no artificial heat.

—Dry until the lumps can be crushed to the size of wheat grains or smaller.

—Mix well and remove roots and other large pieces of organic debris, as well as small stones or rock pieces.

To learn more about what a soil test is and what you need to do a soil test, visit the OSU Extension factsheet at ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132. If you are interested in sending in a soil sample, we can help you here at the extension office. Have a great and safe day!