| Applications: | Home lawns, home vegetable and flower gardens, non-commercial fruit crops, landscape trees and shrubs. For grass disease issues contact the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab. |
| Standard Analysis: | $15 / sample. Includes soil pH, percent organic matter, phosphorus and potassium analysis in addition to a lime recommendation, fertilizer recommendation and other environmental tips. |
| Optional: | Lead: $15 | Soluble Salts: $7 | Physical Analysis: $23 | Heavy Metals: $40 Please see our list of services for additional tests or contact us for more information. |
| Forms & Instructions: | Submission Form | Form Instructions | Sampling Instructions |
Why test?
Determining the fertility level of a soil by a soil test is the first step in planning a good fertilizer and lime application program. Magazine articles and handbooks on lawn care and gardening frequently make general recommendations for applying lime and fertilizer to gardens and turf areas—such as lawns, athletic areas, parks, cemeteries, school grounds, and airports. Such general recommendations encourage the all-too common practice of applying fertilizer indiscriminately and often unnecessarily. A far more effective way to determine the types and quantities of lime and fertilizer to apply is to have your soil tested.
Analysis and Reporting
Your report will include soil pH, percent organic matter, phosphorus and potassium analysis in addition to a lime recommendation, fertilizer recommendation and other environmental tips. Recommendations are only available for soils originating in Wisconsin. View a sample report.
Sampling Information
Testing soil about once every three years is usually adequate. Sampling in early spring or late fall assures that you will have recommendations before buying lime and fertilizer. Avoid sampling soon after fertilizer application as contamination of the soil sample with fertilizer particles will result in erroneous soil test results.
One of the most important steps in soil testing is taking the sample, because only a small portion of the soil you bring to the laboratory is actually tested. Remember that you are taking samples to obtain information and recommendations on which to base fertilizer and lime applications. Best decisions can only be made if soil samples are representative of the areas to be treated. For complete instructions on sampling, please see these sampling instructions.
Your samples should always be accompanied by a completed submission form to insure accurate and timely analysis. Please see these submission form instructions for assistance in completing the form.
Additional References & Resources
- Sampling Garden Soils and Turf Areas for Testing (A2166)
- Understanding Your Soil Test Results
- Lawn/Turf Resources
- Vegetable Garden Resources
- Mixed Bed Resources
- Flower Garden Resources
- Tree Resources
- Shrub Resources
- Fruit Resources
- Annual Cover Resources
- Permanent Cover Resources
- Management of Wisconsin Soils (A3588)
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