Soil & Compost Sampling Instructions

Tree, Shrub or Stocked Plant 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.

 

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