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Middle TN

Im reallllly hoping its not to late to send in a soil sample. I know I saw a 'how to' on taking a proper sample on here somewhere but I cant find it. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Tammy

2/7/2010 10:14:53 AM

Connecticut

MOST PEOPLE WAIT TILL THE SPRING,SO IT IS NOT TOO LATE.I SEND MINE TO A&L LABS IN MODESTO CALIF..WHEN YOU GET IT BACK YOU WILL NEED SOMEONE TO INTERPRET FOR YOU.GOOD LUCK.

2/7/2010 11:33:59 AM

Sacramento, Ca

Dig down around 18 inches in three different places in your dirt. Take a good shovel full of dirt from each hole and the mix the dirt from the three holes together. Take about a cup to a cup and a half of the dirt you just mixed and put it in a baggy. Send it to http://www.al-labs-west.com/files/Soil%20Submittal%20Form.pdf choose the SC3 soil report. It costs $33.00, this is the graphical report. It looks like this; http://www.al-labs-west.com/files/Graphical%20Soil%20Report.pdf

2/7/2010 12:01:08 PM

anytown U.S,A,

If your going to use a shovel make sure it is clean and not rusty. Stainless is usually best. Dig multiple holes in different locations 10-12". Scrape side of hole from top to bottom evenly. Mix together in a clean bucket and then let dry. Send in a sample from the dry mixture.

2/7/2010 12:08:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Tammy,

Which lab are you using? Google A&L maybe.

If you had a stainless steel soil probe you'd pull 3/4" plugs in a ziggzagg pattern. Each core should be about 6" deep to represent

Any ziploc baggy will do.

2/7/2010 12:29:43 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Tammy, here is a link to A&L labs "How to take a soil sample" which you should find helpfull. Once you have your sample results, post it on your diary and you should get some great feedback from the experienced growers here.

http://al-labs-eastern.com/taking_soil_sample.html

M.G. - if you are sampling that deep (18") you are not getting an accurage reading of the soil where your AG roots are feeding from...re-do your test and I bet you get a very differant reading that from the soil that deep.

2/7/2010 12:39:28 PM

Middle TN

Thanks everyone! NSB thats the link I was looking for :) A&L seems to be the most recommended lab so I'll use them.

2/7/2010 2:02:38 PM

Middle TN

I have my soil sample ready but being a first timer, Im confused with the paper work.
I dont know which test package to choose. I dont see the SC3 that Midnight Gardener suggested or anything for $33.oo The website says 'Schedule of fees, Sep.2008' am I looking at the wrong thing?

Also the soil sample submittal form, I dont have a clue what a 'farm ID' or 'field ID' or 'Sample ID' is. All I have is a 30x30 patch in the back yard! I think I bit off more than I can chew :(

2/7/2010 3:40:07 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

No worries Tammy...you are on the right track.

Contact the closest A&L labs to you (by phone or email) and just ask them for the complete test including micro-nutirents.

On the submission form, just write pumpkin patch 1000 sq. ft. and they will give you recommendations based on that size.

At our local lab, they call the test S1B + S7 (S1B is the basic analysis) and the S1B + S7 gives you the complete analysis plus all the other goodies (micro-nutrients etc..) that make it easier to understand.

They will usually email you the results in less than a week.

Best of luck, let us know how it works out for you.

Glenn

2/7/2010 4:01:03 PM

Middle TN

nevermind... I just realized there are two different A&L labs.

2/7/2010 4:05:23 PM

Middle TN

Thanks Glenn, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

2/7/2010 4:08:00 PM

Sacramento, Ca

Glenn, thanks for the heads up about the soil sample depth.

2/7/2010 4:53:00 PM

Middle TN

ok.. one last inquiry and I'll shut up lol
on this form...

http://www.al-labs-west.com/files/Soil%20Submittal%20Form.pdf

I put myself as the customer, grower and submitted by
I check graphic report and email report
I select S3C as the test type

I only fill out the crop type, previous crop, etc if Im asking for recommendations, right?

At the bottom right corner... am I the 'sampler' ?

I really appreciate ya'll being so patient with me.

2/7/2010 8:11:05 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Tammy, don't be gettin askaird now!!! LOL You seem to be moving in the right direction!!! Sorta guessin, that you are finding out that the best folks in the world hang out around here!!! If, I would have seen this post earlier, I would have suggested going to yer County Farm Agent, and asking to borrow his soil test probe, but as long as you have a representative sample of yer entire patch, taken w/ clean tools, you are good to go!!! Seeds will be sent soonly!!! Peace, Wayne

2/8/2010 11:19:17 PM

Middle TN

I was definately 'askaird' there for a minute lol but I think I got 'er by the horns now ;)Since my soil is/was basically the lawn Im afraid of what the test will reveal but I gotta start somewhere. You're right BP is full of great people. I really appreciate the seeds and helpful hints, I can hardly wait for spring but its snowing here, AGAIN! Will spring EVER come?!? Im ready to get my hands dirty :)

2/8/2010 11:44:00 PM

South Hero, VT

Tammy, I went through the same thing last year with my soil test. After I got my results back in a week by email, I wondered why I ever got anxious in the first place. Now I just have to concentrate on amending my soil this year so next year I can have a REALLY big one(this year I plan on growing a BIG one).

Wayne's right about the best folks in the world here. Maybe we can achieve world peace thru growing giant pumpkins!!!

Strength and honor.

2/9/2010 3:02:06 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

VT, dunna know about World Peace, but it has been shown, on several occasions that WE can, and do make a difference!!! ie...Pap Wallace, and his "Coats for Kids", and the recent Haiti Auction + added donations...which I am certain will be close to $15K when all is said and done!!! Kudo's to awl pkn heads!!!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...and this is just a scratch on the surface, of what is happening here...consider the movement to organic growing!!!

2/9/2010 3:41:43 PM

South Hero, VT

Indeed, Wayne. A better world, one giant pumpkin(or other giant veggie) at a time, starting in your own back yard.

2/11/2010 7:00:15 PM