Soil Test Information
go.ncsu.edu/readext?796405
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲Don’t guess, soil test.
Any successful gardener in this area will tell you that the key to a beautiful lawn or garden starts with healthy soil. The only way to ensure your soil is healthy, however, is to conduct a soil test. Soil test results guide decisions like which type of fertilizer to use and whether or not to apply lime. Different types of plants have different pH and nutrient requirements. By soil testing, you can ensure you are applying the proper amounts for optimal growth of all your plants and reducing the amount of excess fertilizers that end up in our streams, rivers, and other bodies of water. Read more about the importance and value of taking a soil sample.
How do I take a soil sample?
Fortunately, we have taken all the guesswork out of taking a correct soil sample. This short video explains everything you will need to know in order to take an appropriate sample and prepare for submission.
Who tests the soil and where do I get forms and boxes?
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Agronomic Division is based in Raleigh, NC, and processes thousands of soil samples each year in their state-of-the-art laboratory. Forms and soil boxes are available at your local county cooperative extension office.
If you are testing soil from a home garden, you will need to download and fill out the homeowner submission form or submit online.
How and when will I receive my soil test results?
Processing time varies based on the time of year, but is updated regularly. You can find your report as well as turnaround times for a particular type of sample on the PALS website. When searching for your report, it is important that you type your last name first, followed by your first name last.
Soil samples are free from April 1–November 30 every year. A peak season fee of $4 is in effect from December 1–March 31. Read more about sample fees.
Learn more!
Once you have received your report, contact the Haywood Plant Clinic and we can help you interpret the results and make fertilizer recommendations that will meet your garden’s needs. We also offer home gardening classes that go deeper into soil sampling and soil amendments. Here is our current class list.