Soil Sampling for the Home Gardener

Publication Number: 452-129; Posted June 2002

Soil Sampling Equipment

The soil probe is the best tool for collecting soil samples. The soil probe works better than a shovel or trowel because this tool equally collects soil in a continuous core from the surface through the entire sampling depth with minimal disturbance of the soil. It also allows for faster sampling.

Some of the disadvantages of a soil probe are: it cannot be used when the soil is too wet because the soil compresses; it cannot be used when the soil is too dry because it is difficult to penetrate the soil. Soil probes also do not work well in soils that contain gravel.

Soil probes are available through agricultural supply companies or your agriculture Extension agent may be able to help you locate a supplier. Cost is typically $25 or more.

Mix soil samples in a clean, plastic bucket. If the bucket has been used to hold fertilizer or other chemicals, wash and rinse it thoroughly before using it for soil samples. Even a small amount of lime or fertilizer transferred from the sampling tools to the soil can seriously contaminate the sample and produce inaccurate results.

In addition to these tools, if you plan to submit your sample to the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory, you will need a Soil Sample Information Sheet and a Soil Sample Box. Both are available from the Virginia Cooperative Extension office in your county or city. Look in the government pages of your phone book or www.ext.vt.edu/offices/ for the address and phone number of your local Extension office.

Before we proceed let's check what you have learned about the proper equipment for soil sampling!

From the list below, select the group of tools that would be best to use for soil sampling. 1. A plastic bucket, rusty garden trowel, soil sample information sheet and a soil sample box; 2. A galvanized bucket, shovel, soil sample information sheet and a soil sample box; 3. A plastic bucket, a garden trowel, soil sample information sheet and plastic baggy for the soil; 4. A plastic bucket, spade, soil sample information sheet and a soil sample box;