As you are preparing your lawn, vegetable garden and flower garden, think about the soil you will be planting in. Does your soil have the essential nutrients required for the crop you are planting?
The Agronomic Division analyzes soil for nutrient content and for properties that affect plant growth. Soil Testing:- Provides optimal, cost-effective lime and fertilizer recommendations.
- Diagnoses common nutrient deficiencies or toxicities
- Promotes environmental quality.
How do I take a soil sample for testing?
- Pick up soil sample boxes and forms at our office, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Yadkin County Center.
- Gather the proper tools needed for sampling. A soil probe or garden trowel and a clean plastic bucket.
- Prepare your sampling area. Start by scraping plants, leaves and organic debris from the soil surface.
- Take your core samples. For lawns, sample 4 inches deep. Vegetable and flower gardens, sample to the depth you plan to incorporate lime or fertilizer, usually 4 to 6 inches. You will need approximately 10-12 core samples.
- Mix your core samples thoroughly in your plastic bucket. Use the mixture to fill your soil sample box to the fill line.
- Fill out the sample form and label the sample box completely. On your sample form, you will need to include your contact information, the crop you will be growing, and the crop code (which is found on the back of the form). Make sure to include an email address, as that is how you will be notified when your online report is available.
- Place your soil sample box in a larger cardboard box for shipping and mail to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agronomic Division, the address is provided on the form.
- Once the sample has been analyzed, you will receive an email with your online report. Results are typically received within 2 weeks, except in peak season. If you need help analyzing the report, please call our office.
