Soil Testing Services
Wayne SWCD now provides soil testing services to producers and landowners! We provide recommendations on gardens, pollinator habitats, wildlife plots, lawns, pastures, and small-scale farm operations (20 acres or less).
$30 per soil sample. This includes shipping to the lab and a basic recommendation to help improve your soil health, support plant growth, and make the most of your land! **CASH or CHECK ONLY
Once the soil sample is dropped off, we will ship it to the lab, and once results are received, we will create our recommendations. This whole process will take around 2-3 weeks, depending on how busy the lab is.
1. Gather a probe or collect-n-go bucket (you can borrow from our office with a $50 deposit), or you can use a small shovel and bucket.
2. Collect multiple subsamples: 4-6 for a small area and 8-10 for a large area (1 acre or more). Walk in a zig-zag pattern when collecting all your subsamples. Sample the top 6-8 inches of soil and remove any type of vegetation or leaf debris.
3. Mix all subsamples in a clean bucket. Break up any clumps and mix thoroughly. Remove rocks, roots, or plant debris.
4. Take approximately 1-2 cups of soil from this bucket and put it into your sample bag; Wayne SWCD provides proper sample bags (free of charge) in our office. Label with your name and the area you sampled.
1. Your soil samples - properly labeled with the name and area you sampled.
2. $30 - CASH or CHECK ONLY
3. Fill out the order form: provide a phone number or email to receive results
Soil Testing Services.pdf4. Information to provide with your soil test:
Acreage or area size (approximates are okay too!)
Produce you want to grow in your garden, native mix (list all types in the mix); crop rotation (3 years min.); type of pasture (cool-season grasses, legumes, etc.).
Yield goals for crop production
Any concerns you have
We have probes and collect-n-go buckets that may be borrowed by customers to pull samples more efficiently.
We require a $50 deposit when borrowing to ensure they are brought back. You will get your deposit back when we receive the probe or collect-n-go bucket back. We ask that customers only have them for about a week.
The collect-n-go bucket is a bucket with an auger that runs through the bottom; you must have a drill to use this attachment.