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soil test #880202

Asked August 05, 2024, 5:01 AM EDT

Can I send soil samples to OSU for testing my soil if I live in Hamilton County? Our Extension office offer to services.

Hamilton County Ohio

Expert Response

No OSU Extension office offers "in-house" soil testing nor will they package and send soil samples to a soil testing lab on anyone's behalf. Some offices provide soil testing "kits" including a mailable sample bag, forms, and instructions. It's then up to the home gardener or farmer to take the soil samples and then package and mail them to a lab. In most counties, I don't believe you need to live in the county to pick up a kit.

However, another option which I believe is more direct is to simply contact a soil testing lab and have them send you soil testing kits. Rather than our Hamilton County office deciding which lab is best for you, you get to decide. To help with this, here is an OSU Extension soil testing fact sheet that provides tips and instructions along with a listing of soil testing labs with their contact information: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132

The listing of soil testing labs allows you to check out their websites to see how the results will be provided. For example, will the results be presented in a format that's clear to understand? I always like to see the results presented graphically with the ranges depicted as high, medium, and low. This makes it easy to see if there is a nutrient deficiency. Also, do they provide clear instructions on how to correct a nutrient deficiency?

Also, although it costs a bit extra, I always recommend getting a "trace nutrient" or "trace element" analysis which is sometimes called a "micronutrient" analysis. These nutrients aren't less important to plant health, they just aren't used by plants as heavily as the "macronutrients." However, micronutrient deficiencies can be just as disastrous as macronutrient deficiencies.



An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 05, 2024, 5:36 PM EDT

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