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WASHTENAW COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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Homeowners Soil Testing For Lawns and Gardens

Picture
Soil test kits can be purchased from MSU Extension in Washtenaw County. MSUE: 734-997-1678, 705 N. Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. They are available on the MSUE website store.

Plants take up nutrients from the soil and over time nutrients need to be replenished.  Soil testing helps in determining soil nutrient levels and deficiencies in your soil and provides a basis for determining how much and what type of fertilizer is needed for the plants you want to grow. 
 
Test results from the Home Lawn and Garden Soil Test Mailer: pH, Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg).  You will also receive recommendations for fertilizer and any needed pH modifications.  This is NOT a test for soil contamination or toxicity.
 
Equipment Needed
  • Plastic pail
  • Garden trowel or spade, sampling probe or soil auger
  • Soil Test Mailer envelope and contents
  • Optional: Soil Probe - available to rent from WCCD Handtool Lending Library!
 
Taking the Sample
Soil samples may be taken at any time during the year when temperatures (lack of frost) and moisture conditions permit.
  1. Decide which one lawn or garden area you would like to test. 
  2. Using your trowel, probe or other sampling device, take 10 random soil samples from the selected area—about ½ cup each.
 
Suggested sampling depths are:
  • Lawns - 3 inches
  • Shrubs, Trees or Other Plants - 7 inches
 
Sample in a random pattern throughout the area to be sampled. Place your 10 soil samples in the plastic pail.
When you have finished taking all 10 samples, mix the soil in the pail thoroughly.
 
If the soil is wet, spread it on paper and allow to air dry overnight before filling the sample bag.  Do not use artificial heat, such as an oven, microwave or hair dryer to force-dry the soil.
 
Place roughly 1 cup of the dry, well-mixed soil inside the resealable plastic bag and seal carefully.  DO NOT overfill the plastic bag.  DO NOT pour extra loose soil inside the white postage paid mailing envelope.  Remove stones, plant roots, leaves, worms, insects, or other non-soil matter from the soil placed in the bag.
 
Complete Soil Test Mailer Form
Fill in the information on the Mailer Form.  Be sure to include an e-mail address to receive your results.
 
Mail Sample to Testing Lab
Fill out the sample identification label and insert into the outer pocket of the sample plastic bag.  Place the plastic soil sample bag and the white copy of the Soil Test Mailer Form (keep the yellow copy for your records) in the postage-paid mailing envelope, seal the mail via the U.S. Postal Service. 

Washtenaw County Conservation District
(734) 302-8715
info@washtenawcd.org

​ 705 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Copyright 2020
  • About Us
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    • Annual Reports
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    • Board Meetings
    • Board of Directors >
      • 2023 Director Elections
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      • Internship Opportunity
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    • 2020 Millage
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      • 2022 WCCD Awardees
    • Conservation Update Newsletter
  • Store
  • Resources
    • School & Community Habitat Grant
    • Rain barrels & Composters >
      • Rain Barrels Information
      • Rain Barrel Common Questions
    • Tool and Equipment Rental >
      • Reserve Tools & Equipment
      • Hand Tool Rentals
      • Herbicide Application Tool Rentals
      • Tool Rental Calendar
      • Equipment Rental Calendar
    • Contractor Lists
    • Hunter Access Program
  • Events
    • Native Plant Expo & Marketplace >
      • 2023 Spring Native Plant Sale >
        • 2023 Spring Milkweed Giveaway
      • 2023 NPEM Speaker Series
      • 2023 NPEM Sponsorship
      • 2023 NPEM Vendor Application
    • Tree & Shrub Distributions >
      • 2023 Spring Tree & Shrub Sale
    • Coffee & Conservation
    • Public Meetings Calendar
  • Conservation Planning
    • NRCS Farm Bill Programs
    • MAEAP
    • MiFarmLink Inquiry
    • Farmer Cost-Share Opportunities
    • MI Farmland Preservation
    • Invasive Species
  • Education
    • Workshops & Programs >
      • Community Conservation Education
      • Conservation Agriculture Education
      • Conservation Stewards Program
    • Online resources >
      • Agriculture >
        • Farmland Preservation
        • Soils >
          • Washtenaw County Soils
          • Soil Sampling >
            • Soil Sampling Article
            • Homeowner Soil Testing
            • Agricultural Soil Testing
        • Windbreaks
        • Composting >
          • Composters
      • Forestry >
        • Community Trees
        • Tree & Shrub Planting Guide
        • Common Tree Diseases & Pests
        • Crop Tree Management
        • Fruit Tree Planting & Care
        • Likelihood of Deer Damage
        • Other Forestry Links
        • Pruning Forest Trees
        • Timber Sales
        • Urban Trees
      • Insects >
        • Animal & Insect Repellents
      • Invasive Species & Control
      • Native Plants >
        • Planting Native Plants
        • Seeding Wildflowers
      • Recycling
      • Water >
        • Groundwater >
          • Groundwater Protection - Agriculture
        • Pond Construction >
          • Pond Management
        • Rain Gardens
        • Shoreline Property
        • Stormwater Runoff & Management
        • Stream Bank Erosion and Control
        • Wells >
          • Water Testing
          • Water Screening Events
        • Wetlands >
          • Wetland Mitigation Banking
        • Wildlife >
          • Brush Piles
          • Clearcutting
          • Den Trees
      • Tree of Heaven
  • Get Involved
    • Spring Tree & Shrub Event Volunteering
  • Donate
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