Robyn Stewart
The soil testing program provided by the Lincoln County Extension Office is a collaborative effort between University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. Founded in 1970, the UGA Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory is responsible for testing over 100,000 samples annually.
A soil test is used to determine the fertility of the soil in a particular area and is the basis for fertilizer and lime recommendations. The nutrient content of soil can be extremely variable across the state, county, and even within one’s own property. While the primary purpose of soil tests is to improve fertility for planting, they are also used to monitor fertility over time, and can be used to summarize soil fertility in a county, region, or state. Soil tests can be performed at any time of year but must be done at least two to three months prior to the time you intend to plant. Consecutive tests of the same field should be taken at the same time of year when tracking fertility over time. Once medium to high fertility has been established in your soil, samples should be taken every two or three years. Whether you are a producer looking for the best yield from your crops and forages or a homeowner trying to improve your lawn and ornamental plants, taking a soil test is an essential step in the process.
Recommendations on what steps to take after you get your soil test results are only as good as the sample taken. In order to take an accurate sample, there are several things to keep in mind. First and foremost, ensure that you are taking a representative sample of the area. One soil sample taken from one spot will not be representative of the whole planting area. Before taking your sample, clear the ground surface of thatch or mulch to ensure the specimen only contains soil, and sample to a depth of 4 inches for lawns or 6 inches for other plants. We recommend taking 10-20 individual samples from each area or field, mixing these samples in a bucket, and using the mixed soil to pull your sample from. Once you have a representative sample, dry it on a flat surface lined with clean white paper overnight before bringing it to the Lincoln County Extension Office. Be careful to pull your sample far enough in advance of planting that you can apply fertilizer and lime correctly, and don’t forget to tell your Extension Agent what you intend to plant in the area. The UGA Extension Office has soil probes, buckets, and sample bags for you to borrow in order to soil test and can provide helpful literature for you to follow during your sampling process.
Once your sample is mailed in, you can expect results from the UGA Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory to arrive at the Lincoln County Extension Office within 7-10 days. The Soil Test Report will provide an interpretation of your soil test and contain nutrient and lime recommendations appropriate for your intended plant. A routine soil test will provide results for Soil pH, Lime, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, and Zinc. Additional tests are available upon request. Soil tests can be accepted at the Lincoln County Extension Office, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM, and cost $10 (cash or check).
Did you know? Over 40% of the tests analyzed by the UGA Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory show acidic soil that requires lime application. While some plants prefer acidic soil, too low of a pH can decrease availability of Calcium, Phosphorous, and other nutrients required for plant growth.
Information supplemented by UGA Publications: Soil Testing for Home Lawns, Gardens, and Wildlife Food Plots, and The Soil Testing Handbook.
