Sorry, I missed this! Here's the instructions from Logan: http://www.loganlabs.com/doc/Soil%20Sampling%20Instructions.pdf

I have to admit, my lawn is so dense I can't easily do this. I just lift the grass layer and separate out a bit of soil from each location, getting as much from various depths as I reasonably can. Mostly, my sample tends to come from the 2-4" layer.

Dang it I took my entire soil sample from 4 inches down. I'll have to redo the test. I'll refrain from applying anything in the meanwhile.

You're probably fine. When I say I sample from the 2-4" layer, most of it's from closer to four inches due to the depth and density of the grass roots. Unless you see a real profile difference (other than that top layer of organics), there shouldn't be that much of a difference.

Great, thank you. I'll keep rolling with the current plan and re-test next spring.

I aim for 4" but in the process some from the upper layers "crumbles down" so it is a mix. I definitely try to take it off fertilizing cycle as not to contaminate any results.

How long should you wait after fertilizing before taking a sample?

Thank you. I think I'm just going to take another sample from 1-4" and send it in, it's only $25 and there might be a valuable lesson in it about how sampling method affects final results. Probably not, but it's cheap.

+1. I think you'll find the results very useful. Lol, if my wife would let me, I'd love to test each one inch layer- and yearly.

I packaged up the soil sample this evening and put it in the mailbox for pickup. I used the method described on LL website to cut a slice with the shovel. I then discarded the top inch leaving me with a perfect 1"-4" slice of soil.

The soil is different from the previous sample. It is a light brown and rich in clay - there were many small "nuggets" of chewing-gum-like clay. The previous sample, which was taken between 4"-5", was a lighter yellowish color and felt sandy. Results should be interesting.