Microbial planet soil restorations
Sampling Instructions
Tree, Shrub or Stocked Plant Collection
Backyard Gardeners Soil Collection
Compost Collection
- Select and photograph the plant and surrounding area to be analyzed.
- Clear the surface organic matter to expose the soil below and photograph the surface soil.
- Between the stem of the plant and drip-line submerge the apple-corer 4-6” into the soil.
- Release the core into a clean plastic sandwich bag repeat 3-6x/area within the circumference of the plant.
- Do not handle the sample or touch the inside of the plastic bag.
- On the plastic bag, with a permanent marker, write a descriptive name, date and time of collection.
- Do not put any other materials inside the bag beside the sample collected.
Backyard Gardeners Soil Collection
- Select and photograph area of garden to be analyzed.
- Clear the surface organic matter to expose the soil below and photograph.
- Using an apple-corer, submerge the full length of the corer into the soil, 4-6”.
- Release the sample into a clean plastic sandwich bag repeat 3-6x/area.
- Do not handle the sample or touch the inside of the plastic bag.
- Do not fill the bag more than halfway. Seal the bag with the air left inside it - this leaves room for the necessary oxygen to sustain the microbes during transport.
- On the outside of the plastic bag, with a permanent marker, write a descriptive name, date and time of collection.
- Do not put any other materials inside the bag beside the sample collected.
Compost Collection
- Select and photograph composting area and surface of compost to be analyzed.
- Collect 1 tsp (4gms or 4ml) from a minimum of 5 different areas and depths.
- If the compost is a large windrow collect 20 different areas and depths.
- Release the sample into a clean plastic sandwich bag repeat.
- Do not handle the sample or touch the inside of the plastic bag.
- Do not fill the bag more than halfway. Seal the bag with the air left inside it - this leaves room for the necessary oxygen to sustain the microbes during transport.
- On the plastic bag, with a permanent marker, write a descriptive name, date and time of collection.
- Do not put any other materials inside the bag beside the sample collected.