Soil Testing

Importance of Conducting Soil Tests 

The fundamental purpose of soil fertility has always been to quantify the amount of nutrients in the soil that is available to the plant at a specific period of time.  The use of a “calibrated soil test” is considered an important tool used for nutrient management for horticultural and field crops, and is considered a “Best Management Practice” (BMP) for water quality improvement. 

It provides a quantitative analysis used for soil management decisions related to plant systems. However, with increased emphasis on environmental quality and the rising cost of fertilizer, soil testing serves as a vital tool to determine areas in the field where deficient or elements are needed or sufficient.

• When Should You Sample and How Often

  Regardless of the time of the year, it is important to remember to sample your soil at the same time each year in order to make yearly assessments for new crop needs.

  • Residential Lawn and Landscape: Recommended annually
  • Horticulture Crops (commercial): Recommended annually
  • Pastures*: Recommended every two to three years

  *If you apply horse manure or composted stall waste and/or other manures to your fields, you should sample annually, because manures rapidly raise soil phosphorus, potassium and zinc levels.

• Soil Testing for Landscape and Vegetable Gardening

  Residential clients fertilizing plants in the landscape and vegetable gardening should use this form. The Landscape and Vegetable Garden Form must accompany Florida homeowners' samples submitted to the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory. The following tests can be selected on this form:

  1. pH and Lime Requirement
  2. Standard Soil Fertility Test

  • pH, P, K, Ca, and Mg
  • Lime and Fertilizer Requirement

  Agronomic and commercial vegetable and fruit producers should use the Producer Soil Test Form (SL135).Samples will not be tested for presence of nematodes, disease organisms, or chemicals other than those listed on the form.

  Forms: 

  • SL136 Landscape and Vegetable Garden Test Form 
  • Análisis de Suelo Jardines y Huertos
• Commercial Soil Testing

  Please contact your local Commercial Horticulture agent, Karen Stauderman, at (386) 822-5778

• Pasture Soil Testing

  This form is for Bahia pastures. For test B-1, please send a sample of the bahia grass without roots if you want a recommendation for phosphorus.

  Bahia Producer Soil Test Information

  Bahia Soil Test Submission Form

  ANÁLISIS DE NUTRIENTES PARA PASTOS DE BAHÍA

• Citrus Soil Testing

  For commercial citrus please contact Karen Stauderman (386) 822-5778

• Water Testing

  This form should be used for analysis of irrigation water or household well water (not municipal or drinking water).

  The Water Test Form must accompany water samples submitted to the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory. This service is available to all Florida residents. Analyses performed are pH, electrical conductivity, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na, Cl, hardness, total carbonates, and suspended solids. Please note that these tests will not determine if the water is suitable for human consumption. Bacteriological tests may be available from the county health department or from some commercial laboratories.

   

  Water Test Analysis and Codes and Fee Schedule

  Water Test Information Sheet

  Water Test Submission Form SL-133

  HOJA DE INFORMACIÓN: ANÁLISIS DE AGUA

• Preparing to Submit Your Samples

  We advise contacting your local Extension agent BEFORE submitting a soil sample, you may not even need one. 

  Please review each soil test form for directions on collecting your soil samples. 

  1. Completely fill out the appropriate test forms. 
  2. Make sure your sample bags are properly labeled. 
  3. Soil should be free from debris and dry. 
  4. Place samples in a ziplock bag, box, or a bubble mailing envelope to protect samples.
  5. Include the completed forms and a check payment made out to THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, when mailing the samples

  Mail Your Soil Samples!

  Clientele MUST MAIL their soil samples (including form and payment) to:

  Extension Soil Testing Laboratory
  PO Box 110740
  Gainesville, FL 32611-0740

  OUR OFFICE CANNOT ACCEPT OR MAIL ANY SAMPLES.

• Soil Test Results

  When Should I Recieve My Results?

  Sample results can be expected via email in about one week after they are received by the UF Soil Testing Lab. Our local Extension team is available to help provide submission forms and assistance interpreting the results and recommendations provided by the UF Soil Testing Lab.

   

• Limitations for Soil Testing

  Soil testing cannot do any of the following

  • Advise you on which crop to grow
  • Diagnose plant diseases, pests, or offer plant identification
  • Substitute for proper cultural practices