I would never trust a home test. Having said that, I do use them. What a hypocrite, huh. You should always get a test done by the local extension office. I get one about every three years and use the home test just to check each year. I don't usually have to adjust much, since I grow cover crops and use lots and lost of compost. Don't ever buy a cheap one.

Tiemco or others, I'm taking your advice and getting my soil tested via Logan Labs prior to my fall overseeding next month. Can you explain the process of how this sampling should be done? I looked at the Logan Labs website and it's kind of vague for a novice first timer. For example, they asked how many plastic bags for samples I needed. Then, they state, "Because of soil variations, it is necessary that each sample consist of small portions of soil obtained from approximately 15 locations in the soil area. After obtaining these portions of soil, mix them together for a representative sample." So, would I just need 1 sample taken from the front yard for example? And if so, would that give me a good idea of what's in the soil for my entire yard? Also, what's the best way of collecting a soil sample? Any other suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Contact you extension service and tell them of you plight, if you are lucky, they can point you to a commercial lab. speaking of commercial labs, try and get, from your extension service, the type of soil in your area, with that info. you can hopefully find a lab that deals with your soil type. I had to go through the same process and even was wanting to find a lab that was in a state with commercial apple production and research and my types of soil for the best recommendations. yep, I'm picky and choosy. Colo. State was my choice and the accepted my out of state sample from the apple orchard and provided recs. that I mostly agreed with. The soil type and lab is a very important combination because of the methodologies different labs use to actually extract the soil samples prior to analysis. There are a number of different extractants and not one is suitable for all types of soil. Find out your soil type and tell the lab before sending the sample.

A soil test done by Michigan State University through the Cooperative Extension Service office is $13.00 per sample, others are less, some more. With that soil test you get information about what is going on in your soil and how to correct any deficiencies. A good, reliable soil test cn help save you money by showing you that you may not need to apply certain materials, or maybe not in the amount someone tells you, one reason why many farmers rely on them to guide what they apply to their fields. in addition to that soil test these simple soil tests can also help. 1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains� too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. Check with your states Agricultural School, the one with the Cooperative Extension Service offices, to find out about having that good, reliable soil test done.