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Owensboro, Ky.

Looking for tips on taking soil samples. I know that a site search would prbly give tons of info, but would love to hear it first hand. I have read to take several samples from around the patch, mix together and submit. How many per 1K sq. ft? How much from each spot? How deep do I go? I do not have a professional sampling tool. How do I need to clean the sampling tool? Wanting to do it right!!! All ideas appreciated!!! Thanks!!! Peace, Wayne

1/20/2007 3:23:42 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Wayne: Need to take a 1" core 8" deep with whatever means available. A piece of conduit pipe may work, but will be a laborious task to eject the core sample. The more cores, the better. I suggest 10 cores per 1000 square feet. This is overdoing it somewhat, but it won't hurt.

Take core samples when soil is moist, not wet. When you have collected them, dry them at room temp. and crush them by hand. Submit you sample in a zip lock bag. I suggest sending to Craig Lembke's lab. If you e-mail Craig in advance, he will contact you by phone and go over results of the analysis and offer suggestions as to what amendments to make.

Contact Craig at C&J Products. Happy growing!

1/20/2007 3:35:39 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks GPD, but major question is still unanswered, what do I cleanse sampling tool with, and how often. Sort of thinkin that last years results might have been skewed by dirty sampling tool. Peace, Wayne

1/20/2007 5:50:17 PM

Wayne here's a suggestion:
1.go to sink, pick out 10 dirty SS coated spoons (any size works here) wash with warm water and dish soap, rinse well under the tap and let air dry

2.use the spoons, one for each sample if you are worried about contamination at that 8" level in the patch

3.place the samples in a gallon plastic bag

4.shake and mix the samples in the bag

5.dry the samples spread out on a plain paper plate or 2

6.place the required amount of samples into the bag provided by the lab of choice

7.repeat step #1 on the spoons and eat some "grits" :-)

1/20/2007 6:16:30 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

check this site out wayne.

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/L99.htm

Doug
jn. 3:16

1/20/2007 7:05:14 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

So.....Dan, trying to sift thru the humor, I am guessing that wash in dish soap, rinse in warm water, and air dry is an effective way to disinfect soil sampling tools? I like grits, and I like cheese!!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

1/20/2007 7:15:02 PM

Stainless steel tools are fine when done that way, IMO

1/20/2007 7:34:34 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

New local grower,(Biscuit) has led me to County Extension Agent in the next county over, who has soil sampling tool, corer (?) that he lends out...YaHoo!!! Peace, Wayne

1/30/2007 10:38:15 PM