Sampling Procedure
Soil Tests Can Be No Better Than The Sample Itself
1. USE OF THE TOOLS SHOWN BELOW TO TAKE SAMPLES. TAKE SAMPLE TO THE PLOW DEPTH (USUALLY 8-12").
2. EACH SAMPLE SHOULD REPRESENT A UNIFORM AREA.
SIZE UP THE AREA AND OBSERVE THESE VARIATIONS.
Differences in texture (sand, sild, clay), color, slope, degree of erosion, drainage, past management (fertilization, rotation, ETC.)
3. Take 20 to 30 samples from each uniform area in a systematic manner as shown for field 3 above. mix thoroughly in a plastic container and fill soil sample bag at least two-thirds full. This is the composite sample that represents the field or area. Label each container with your name, address and the number of sample corresponding to the number on the information sheet.
4. Avoid (or sample seperately if of interest) such areas as dead or back furrows, old straw piles, waterways, terraces, fence rows, and unusual spots.
5. repeat the sampling procedure outlined on each uniform area you want tested.
6. Air Dry the Sample Before Mailing. Do Not Use Heat For Drying.
IMPORTANT
Your sample will be tested for available zinc and iron; rusty tools will contaminate the sample with iron, and galvanized or brass containers will contaminate it with zinc. The resultant soil analysis could indicate a sufficiency of these elements when actually a deficiency exits.
ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAN
| SOIL TESTS AVAILABLE | |
| TEST | COMMENTS |
| Routine- pH, soluble salts, organic matter, nitrate-nitorgen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, lime (estimate), texture (estimate), copper and manganese. | Basic evaluation for characterizing the soil fertility status for growing crops. A fertilizer suggestion is given. Normall this test is sufficient unless a special problem is suspected |
| Subsoil Nitrate | Evaluation of nitrate supply below soil surface. Fertilizer nitrogen suggestion based on routine soil test of surface soil is adjusted if subsoil nitrate is unusually high. |
| Subsoil Salinity | it is important to determine the salt content of subsoil for crop management. |
| Sodium Evaluation- sodium adsorption ratio, (ratio of sodium to calcium and magnesium), gypsum, and % lime | Some Colorado soils contain excess sodium. This test determines whether or not chemical amendment such as gypsum or sulfur will be effective and the amounts of these materials needed. |
| Routine plus Sodium Evaluation | See aboe explanations. A suggestion for fertilizer and/or amendments for sodium reclamation is given. |
| Sulfate | Colorado soils usually have suffiicent quantities of this nutrient. |
| Boron, Molybdenum, Cadmium, and Lead | In some situations, such as near mining sites boron, molybdenum, cadmium and lead may be found at toxic levels. |