SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING SOIL SAMPLES
Use the following steps to submit soil samples:
1.	Obtain a spade, trowel, soil tube, or soil auger free of rust and soil.
2.	Dig 5-10 samples (depending on the size of the area) from the soil depth where your plants will be rooting. The
	samples should represent a uniform area consisting of land that is similar in slope, texture, drainage, or other
	characteristics that make the soil the same. A front and back yard would most likely be very similar to each other,
	however a garden area may be different from a turf grass area.
3.	Place all of the samples into a plastic container and mix well to get your final sample for submittal to the lab. If
	possible, air dry the sample by spreading it out on paper towels.
4.	Remove about 1 ½ - 2 cups of soil from the container and place it in a plastic bag or soil sample bag.
	If more than one bag is submitted to the lab, the samples will be analyzed and invoiced as separate samples.
5.	Seal the bag and label the sample with name, address and location of the sample.
6.	Complete this soil sample information form as much as possible and include it with the soil sample.
7.	Mail the sample to the lab using the following address:				For submittal using UPS/Fed Ex please use:
	Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory				Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory
	Colorado State University				Colorado State University
	Room A 319 NESB				200 West Lake Street
	Fort Collins, CO 80523-1120				Fort Collins CO 80523-1120
8.	Be sure to keep samples cool before mailing. If samples heat up; the nitrogen readings can change dramatically.
	Keeping the samples in the shade will prevent excessive heating.
9.	Please do not pay when you submit your samples, but if you want to pay by credit card you may provide complete
	credit card information. If an invoice is required for an individual (rather than business) you will need to provide all the
	information requested on the front side of the form.
10.	The lab DOES NOT do herbicide or pesticide analysis.
11.	If you have additional questions please contact the lab at: (970) 491-5061 or your local county Cooperative
	Extension agent.
			SOIL TESTS AVAILABLE
	Test			COMMENTS
Routine - pH, soluble salts, organic matter, nitrate-nitrogen,				Basic evaluation for characterizing the soil fertility status for
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, lime (estimate), texture,				growing crops. A fertilizer recommendation is given. Normally this
copper and manganese.				this test is sufficient unless a special problem is suspected.
Subsoil Nitrate				Evaluation of nitrate supply below soil surface. Fertilizer nitrogen
				recommendation 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				Some Colorado soils contain excess sodium. This test determines
sodium to calcium and magnesium), gypsum, and % lime.				determines whether or not chemical amendments such as gypsum
				or sulfur will be effective and the amounts of these materials needed.
Sulfate				Colorado soils usually have sufficient quantities of this nutrient.
Boron, Molybdenum, Cadmium and Lead				In some situations, such as near mining sites, these metals may be
				found at toxic levels.