Knowledgebase

Dahlia #927931

Asked April 09, 2026, 2:55 PM EDT

I'm looking to get my soil tested specifically to benefit dahlias and wondering if someone can tell me the best way to go about that. I live by Ann arbor so where would I submit the sample

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

4/10/26

Thank you for your inquiry about soil tests. You can purchase soil sample bags through Michigan State University Extension and receive recommendations directly from MSU. A&L Labs analyze the soil samples and send results to MSU Extension where a recommendation will be generated and sent to you by expert MSU Extension staff. All MSU recommendations utilize the latest research and follow state laws and guidelines.

Home Lawn and Garden soil self-mailers including sample bags are available for purchase through local MSU Extension offices (https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county) or even easier through the MSU Bookstore at https://shop.msu.edu/products/soil-test-mailer
where they are mailed directly to you. If you choose to purchase one at an Extension office, I would recommend calling ahead of time to see if they have them in stock.

Commercial soil sample bags can only be purchased in person at MSU Extension offices. The cost for the commercial samples does not include shipping costs to A&L Labs.

Please note, the soil tests do not test for heavy metals, pesticide residue on soil and plants, or PFOS. For a list of labs that provide those types of tests, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/testing-for-contaminants-in-soil-water-and-plants

Also, check out this video from one of our Extension Educators that shows how to take a soil sample (amounts, locations, etc.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlGtKdQ_OQY

Thank you for reaching out. Best wishes this growing season!

Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/ Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health   Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. Replied April 10, 2026, 8:34 AM EDT

Loading ...