Fall is the best time to test your soils so that any amendments you add, especially if you need to change your pH, have time to take effect before the next growing season. Both lime (which raises pH) and sulfur (which lowers pH) need months to work. If you put this off until spring your soil may be too wet and the soil labs get backed up with all the other last minute samples, so try to get this important task done this fall.

 A standard vegetable test costs $12 at the Agro-One/Dairy-One lab in Ithaca. Put your Extension Educator's name on the form so we'll get a copy too, which expedites our ability to comment. The link to the form is:  http://dairyone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Form-V.pdf  or we can send you a paper copy. Make sure you are using the V form, for vegetables.  This is a Modified Morgan Soil Test package and includes pH, Modified Mehlich Buffer pH (lime requirement), percent organic matter and extractable phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, zinc & manganese plus Cornell generated nutrient recommendations if a valid soil name is provided. The form has all the details on where to mail the sample, the cost, and payment methods. It's a good idea to keep a copy for your records until you receive your results.

You can use whatever lab you like, the main thing is to stay with the same lab time after time so you can compare your results as you make amendments. Different labs often use different extractants which can make comparing results between them impossible. But do choose a lab from your region since the geology and climate varies so much around the country. Labs in the southeastern US often use the Mehlich III test while New York soils are better suited to the Modified Morgan or Morgan test.

Please note: the test result is only as good as the sample you provide, so take the time to gather a representative, composite sample. Use a small plastic bucket or plastic grocery bag and a clean shovel or soil probe (free of rust) and take about a half cup of soil from 6-10 locations from the field to be tested. Do not include the surface soil which may have contaminants or plant matter but do include soil from 2-6 inches deep.  Mix these samples together in your bucket to make one composite sample.  Let the soil air dry before sending about 2 cups of it to the lab. The Agro-One lab prefers you send your samples in their cardboard sample boxes which they provide for free. You can use a paper lunch bag, but since the soil needs to dry out, they discourage submitting your soil in plastic bags.

This link has more details about soil sampling: http://dairyone.com/analytical-services/agronomy-services/soil-testing/

Beets, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, rutabaga and turnip have high born requirements, especially if the pH is 7.0 or above. For these crops consider having the extra $10 boron test done, and check off that option at the bottom of the soil test form.

For high tunnels we recommend adding in the soluble salts test for an extra $5 so you can keep track of this level over the years. Since tunnels don't receive soaking rains to dilute salts, they are prone to building up in the soil.

Interpreting soil test results can be daunting but any of us on the team would be glad to work through your results with you.