Vegetable Gardening Soil, Compost & Mulch

Garden soil test laboratory recommendation?

4 years ago

I'm looking for a recommendation for one of those places I've heard about where you can send them some soil, and tell them what vegetables want to plant, and they'll give you an analysis and tell you what you need to do.
I'm in Sunnyvale, CA, and unfortunately my local county extension provides a list with no recommendations. I've spent some time trying to figure out out from websites etc, and these companies are sure making it really difficult.
The more information the better I guess, because I'm suspecting some kind of soil problem; and I specifically want one of the professional ones that makes recommendations.

Featured Answer

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Actually, the main purpose of a soil test in a new bed is to identify serious deficiencies. Once you know what they are, you can take steps to mitigate. The testing lab will probably tell you what you have to do to do that. Beyond that, it's hardly necessary to test every year. One regular criticism of soil testing is that people think they have to do it every year. That's nonsense.

You send a second sample to the same lab, and the same people will test it. So whatever mistakes you're anticipating will just get made twice. Better just to trust a reputable lab to do it right the first time.

It's about being smart and not planting in soil that is desperately deficient in some nutrient. There are many places that are. For example, the deep south is often seriously deficient in phosphorus and potassium, and intermountain west is often low in nitrogen. But there can be local spots that are fertility challenged. Cheap fertilizer is usually OK, in that NPK is just NPK, but uber expensive fertilizers abound.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

vgkg Z-7 Va
4 years ago
Check with your local library first, in my state they have soil testing collection kits to give out and a local university (like Va Tech) analyzes the samples for a modest fee.
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I believe the California ag extensions do NOT offer soil testing, which is kinda ratty, and they point you at high priced private providers. But many states do offer it. Here's ours for Texas. http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/ They will do it for anyone from anywhere, and they do excellent work. You don't need to be in Texas. The particulars are on the "soil submittal forms". They charge $12 for "routine analysis", which is pH, NO3-N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S and Conductivity. That's pretty much all you really need to worry about. You can get the results back by e-mail. Now, on top of that there will be shipping charges which, for a pint of soil, will cost some extra bucks. You may find some closer ag extension lab, but the shipping charges will be pretty much the same.
Related Professionals
Orlando Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Concord Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Honolulu Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Champaign Landscape Contractors · Kalamazoo Landscape Contractors · La Crosse Landscape Contractors · Sacramento Landscape Contractors · Elizabeth City Accessory Dwelling Units · Winona Accessory Dwelling Units · Pueblo Accessory Dwelling Units · Cornwall Accessory Dwelling Units · Sebring Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Ashland Landscape Contractors · Grand Junction Landscape Contractors · Portsmouth Stone, Pavers & Concrete
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
4 years ago
I vaguely remember, from thirty years ago, when I gardened in Santa Cruz (not that far from Sunnyvale), that recognized deficiencies were N and Fe. Now N is highly mobile,and leaches readily, so even a soil test won't report it that accurately. But if you are deficient in mainly that, then just lawn fertilizer is your answer. Fe is not part of the TAMU soil test I reported on. Symptoms of that are chlorosis, where the leaves of the plants turn yellow, but the veins stay green. If you see that, you can ask at a nursery what appropriate local solutions are.
robert567
4 years ago
Seems like you should do this every year, and send more than one sample to verify results. All that matters is what the "base" soil chemical content is in the first place?

Is this all about being "smart" and saving money on fertilizer by using the cheapest fertilizer?
Aaron La
Original Author
4 years ago
OK, I shipped some soil to TAMU for their deluxe test! Let's see how it comes out.

I'm working through some irrigation problems, so I specifically wanted a 'soil texture' analysis that is not in the typical basic analysis. Hopefully that will clarify things.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Soil texture analysis is one soil test that can be done easily at home for no cost and with a high degree of accuracy. Google it. And while it may be helpful to know, you can't do anything seriously to change it. It is pretty much a "deal with it" situation.