See the important areas that are necessary to get an accurate soil sample to guide your nutrient management.
A recent UF/IFAS blog article likened soil samples to bloodwork, noting that “Just as bloodwork requires fasting or the avoidance of certain medications to yield accurate results, soil analysis necessitates careful preparation to reflect true field conditions.” Accuracy in a soil sample is important because the data gleaned from the sample with guide your nutrient management and efforts in improving the soil going forward. See the key points from the blog the experts at UF/IFAS say need your attention if you want an accurate soil sample, below.
Get an Accurate Soil Sample
These are the areas you need to pay extra attention to, according to the UF/IFAS blog article, to get an accurate soil sample:
Timing. “Sampling timing shifts with weather and seasons, affecting nutrient availability and soil structure.
For instance, collect samples at the end of Florida’s summer rainy season, from August to October, before fall fertilization in citrus groves. Wet soil after heavy rain can skew pH readings lower, much like recent meals can alter blood sugar levels. Avoid sampling during dry spells when dust contamination is likely to occur in the cores.”
The Sampling Procedure. “The sampling procedure holds equal weight to the lab results themselves. Use a soil probe to take cores 6 to 8 inches deep from 10 to 15 spots in a zigzag pattern across a uniform area, like a vegetable garden bed. Mix these in a plastic bucket, remove mulch, and air-dry the composite before bagging about one pint for submission.”
Avoiding Abnormal Results and False Positives. “Watch for false positives or abnormal results that may stem from procedural errors. Recent fertilizer application within two weeks can inflate nutrient levels, mimicking a high reading that prompts unnecessary lime additions. Contaminated tools or wet samples may introduce errors, such as elevated salinity from road dust.”
Find Help. “Contact your local extension agent for assistance in interpreting results or troubleshooting any unusual findings. Agents receive report copies and can clarify if a low pH stems from sampling errors or actual acidity needing lime. Use this map to find offices for direct assistance.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.