A proper sample is crucial to getting accurate results
Proper collection of the soil sample is extremely important. Follow these directions to ensure your soil sample accurately reflects your planting area.
Use tools that are clean and free of rust. You will need a clean bucket, a garden trowel and a clean plastic (not metal) container. Avoid brass or galvanized tools or containers that can contaminate samples with zinc or copper.
Each sample should represent only one area. For example, a vegetable garden a lawn, and a perenial flower be would be separate areas and have separate tests.
Take about 5 to 10 separate sub-samples spread out over your planting area; Using a soil probe or a small shovel, collect a “slice” from surface to the depth where the plant roots will grow. For vegetables, this would be a depth of about 5 or 6 inches. Mix all your sub-samples into a single sample for testing. You should have about 2 cups of soil, total, for each sample.
Mailing Your Soil Samples
Moist soil can weight quite a bit. To save on postage, let your soil air dry on a paper plate for a few days. Then place each sample in its own plastic zip-lock type bag.
Please do not attempt to speed dry your sample in an oven or microwave. This will destroy important microorganisms and make the test results invalid.
For multiple orders, please mark and label each sample. Any identification method will do, just so you know where each sample is from. If you are requesting a toxic elements test, please indicate that on your soil sample.
Mailing the soil to us via USPS seems to easiest for most folks.
We will test and email the results within 5 business days of arrival to our testing lab.
Drop off or mail your soil sample(s)
Rogue Valley Soil Testing
906 SW Greenwood Ave.
Grants Pass OR 97526