ORISKANY, N.Y. — Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County offers soil sample pH testing for the home gardeners. Fall is a good time to get your soil tested after the gardening season. Vegetables, flowers, herbs and turf grasses draw nutrients out of the soil as they grow. After getting your soil sample tests results, one may need to amend the soil. Plus fall is a good time to prepare your garden beds for the next growing season!
To obtain a representative soil sample for pH tests and/or complete soil analysis, dig 6 cores of soil, approximately 1” x 1” by 6” deep for lawns and 8” deep for garden areas. Place in a bucket and mix. Then transfer mixture to sandwich baggies, a minimum of 1 pint of dry soil to complete the analysis.
The in-office pH test is $2 per sandwich baggie sample. Or one can send samples to have a complete soil nutrient analysis done by Agro- One Soil Laboratory/Dairy One located in Ithaca, NY. Fees for home garden and home lawn are $12 plus postage. A nutrient soil analysis includes results for soil pH, organic matter level, nutrient levels including macro & micro nutrients: phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, aluminum & magnesium. The results will also include recommendations based on the type of crop or plants you are growing. Complete soil sample form before mailing can be found online at www.dairyone.com or pick up at the Extension Office. Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County is located at the Oneida County Farm & Home Center, 121 Second Street, Oriskany, NY 13424. Office phone number is (315) 736-3394.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County
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