Soil tests

Just wondering where most of you send your soil for testing and what you are paying for it?

Bob:

Here’s the info. for the U of MN soil testing facility – http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/scans%5CCropssoil.pdf. More information on sampling can be found on their website – http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/index.htm

Joel

Do we get a break if we know someone who works there??

I would use the word “work” losely anytime you mention Joel’s name.

It is either 8 or 9 bucks per sample.

I’m fortunate enough to have access to a pH meter so I do all my own pH’s. I should probably send in some tests to form base lines for soil fertility, but I never have. You can tell alot about soil fetility just by watching you’re plants(looking for tell tale deficiency signs) and counting N credits when you plant Nitrogen fixing crops.

Thanks for the info. I am not familar with counting nitrogen credits. I usually just rotate lagumes and cool season crops like corn, winter wheat etc. I would sure apreciate any info on counting nitrogen credits.
Thanks, Bob

Bob,
Counting N credits is just a way to roughly determine how much N you have in the soil. Soil tests won’t determine Nitrogen because it is not “held” in the soil persay(N is the only nutrient that is constantly mobile, i.e. if the plants aren’t absorbing/utilizing it, it’s leaching into the subsoil). When you send in a soil test you should always make note of any nitrogen fixing crops that you have had in previous years(and how many years that crop was growing there), and what crop you plan to grow during the current season. The agency doing the soil test will make a recomendation based off of Nitrogen credits accumulated. I’ll look around on the net and see if I can find a chart or link for more info….all my information is at home and I’m at work right now.

Excellent Info Guys! Keep it coming!

Here’s a link that gives Nitrogen credits for legume crops. It also has info on available N from cow poop….Todders this will show you what you’re free manure will provide to your plot.

http://www.mda.state.md.us/resource_conservation/nutrient_management/consultant_information/estimated_mineralization_rates.php

Good info!!
Thanks, Bob

Excellent post! Thanks for the info. everyone!