Soil Sampling 101

This year we are going to be focusing on HEALTHY SOILS!

Throughout this yearlong series, I will be teaching you:

• How to correctly soil sample
• How to read soil samples and what to look for within your results
• General properties of healthy soil

Contact your local extension office for soil sample forms and bags.

Geauga County Extension:

14269 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021

440-834-4656

HOW TO TAKE A SOIL SAMPLE:

1. Take soil samples at the same time of the year - It is important to stick to a schedule when sampling. Preferably pick either spring or fall and sample at that time every 2- 3 years.
2. Pull soil at a depth of about 6 inches - using a soil probe (pictured above) is best, this creates a plug or a "core". Geauga SWCD has a few available for rent. But you can also use a spade or shovel.
3. Walk in a "Z" Pattern, "M" Pattern, or "S" Pattern - Plan your walking path! Map your field using Geauga REALink (if you need help with this, please call) then plot a footpath for scheduled stops using these the letters "Z", "M", or "S". This gives your soil sample a good representation of the entire field.
4. Take 10 to 15 samples in the area you want to sample - Take these 10 to 15 cores, put them in a plastic bucket (metal buckets will skew the results) and mix the soil cores together. Then fill a soil sample bag with approximately 2 cups of soil. You will submit 1 sample bag per 20 acres of land.
5. Contact your county extension office to submit samples! - Wait for results and stay tuned for our next Farming for the Future Article on how to read your results!

Photo from: University of Missouri Extension: Soil Sampling Pastures G9215

website: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9215

KIDS CORNER ACTIVITY:

Using flour and bread as models of degraded versus healthy soils, participants do a hands-on exploration of what happens when water hits unaggregated versus aggregated particles.