Collecting Soil Samples for pH and Other Testing

It is important to get a representative sample of any area you wish to monitor, almost regardless of the size of the plot or field, since you will be treating the area in the same way. Unless there is a significant difference in the soil across particular parts of a field you will expect to treat a whole field in the same way and therefore you can combine your samples for testing.

The total amount to be collected for each test is between a half and one kilogram.

Collect the samples in a roughly 'W' pattern, with sample points at fairly regular intervals, put each sample in a clean polythene bag and label it clearly.

To make the sampling process easier, use a soil auger that takes a representative core sample, then either send your samples to a laboratory or use a soil testing kit, such as those available from Novanna.

Repeated testing over a period of about a year or more will help you to build a picture of your soil's character and response to treatments, climate, planting, harvesting and so on, while a more prolonged period of testing can only add to your understanding of your soil's behaviour.