How To Test Garden Soil In Brooklyn

Master Gardener volunteer conducts a pH soil test on a soil sample

Image by Sandy Repp

A Master Gardener volunteer tests soil pH.

Soil Testing Services

IMPORTANT UPDATE

For Garden Diagnostic and Soil Testing Services, please visit our Horticulture Center/East Meadow Farm at 832 Merrick Avenue, East Meadow, NY. Diagnostic drop off service is available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 1:00pm. You will be greeted outside and can drop off the sample with the representative at the desk.

You can also use a Cornell University partner lab., Dairy One https://dairyone.com/ that is open and accepting soil samples by mail. You will have results back to you within 10-14 days and they will provide Cornell recommendations.

Use Form H https://dairyone.com/download/agronomy-submission-form-h/?wpdmdl=13841&refresh=5ebd6b8234a561589472130

For questions about submitting a soil sample please call the Dairy-One Laboratory directly at (607) 375-9962 or (800) 344-2697 (ask for soil lab customer service) or go to https://dairyone.com/services/agronomy-services/soil-analysis/

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Why Test Soil?

A soil test will tell you what nutrients are in your soil and what you may need to add (in the form of fertilizer) for successful crop growth. Plants need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (macronutrients) as will as micronutrients to grow. Deficiency or excess of these elements will impact the health and productivity of plants. In addition, the pH (acid/alkaline level) of your soil has an impact upon how much of your soil's nutrients your plants will be able to use. CCE-Nassau Horticulture Programs can provide or arrange several different tests for your soil, and can help you to interpret the results and choose an appropriate course of action if necessary.

pH Testing

A pH test measures the acid/alkaline level of your soil. In the pH scale, 7.0 is considered neutral; lower numbers indicate acid soil, while higher numbers indicate that the soil is alkaline. Most plants prefer a pH of 6.8. pH levels influence nutrient availability, with most nutrients being available to plants when the pH is in this range (6.8-7.0). If a soil is too alkaline or too acid, certain nutrients may be limited. To change soil pH to the desirable range, you will either add lime if the soil is too acid or sulfur if the soil is too alkaline. With your pH test result, we will let you know what amount of lime or sulfur is needed if any.

Our Horticulture Program will perform a pH test on soil samples that are brought to our offices, for a fee of $5/sample. Please see instructions on "How to take a soil sample", and print and complete this form. If you are unable to download or print the form in advance, hard copies are available at our office.

We also sell Cornell pH Test Kits. When properly used, the pH can be determined to approximately +0.1 pH unit. This is adequate for most situations. Note: the pH kit cannot be used accurately by a color blind person. We offer the following kits:

Standard Range Kit (5.0-7.2), $20/box

Nutrient Analysis

Forms for Agro-One Soil Laboratory and mailer boxes are available at CCE Nassau Horticulture Center.

Dairy-One Laboratory (607) 375-9962 or (800) 344-2697 (ask for soil lab customer service)

Standard soil nutrient test $13/sample
This test provides recommendations for establishment and maintenance of home lawns and gardens, commercial turf, commercial vegetables, commercial fruit, and field crops (pasture, hay, annual crops). Measures pH (in water), phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micro nutrients including organic matter. Samples are sent to Agro-One Lab located at 730 Warren Rd., Ithaca. Expect at least one week for test results to be returned.

Download and print the appropriate FORM from the Dairy-One website to include with your soil test samples. (NOTE: when you visit the above link, you will see a list of different forms. For testing home garden soils, download and print Submittal Form H for Lawn, Garden and Landscapes.

Additional tests (available through Agro-One)