Soil Testing  Soil Testing is available all year from MSU Extension-Livingston County. Lawn and vegetable garden soil tests are available with customized results emailed to you from the MSU website. Organic matter soil test analysis for lawn and vegetable gardens are available with written recommendations mailed to you. Flower garden, tree and shrub, wildlife forage and commercial agriculture soil tests for acreage have written recommendations mailed to you. The test will have information about type of soil, the soil pH, and levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium present. The recommendations will include the amount of nitrogen fertilizer and recommendations for phosphorus or potassium, if needed. If it is necessary to change the soil pH to improve growing conditions, a sulfur or lime recommendation will be included. For an additional fee, an organic matter test will tell how much humus is in the soil. Lawn or New Lawn Top to 4 inches (go to a variety of depths) Flower or Vegetable Garden Top to 12 inches (go to a variety of depths) Trees and Shrubs Top to 12 to 18 inches (go to a variety of depths) Home lawn & vegetable garden soil test MSU self mail, postage paid, envelopes are available for purchase at MSU Extension Livingston County office or at www.bookstore.msue.msu.edu for $20.00. Self mail soil test boxes, without postage paid, are available for the following: Flower garden, tree & shrub, and wildlife forage for $20.00. Organic matter soil test analysis self mail boxes for home lawn & vegetable gardens are $25.00. Commercial agriculture soil tests for acreage self mail boxes are $12.00 and $17.00 to include organic matter testing.
Soil Test FAQ's:    Why should I have my soil tested? Getting a soil test is a way to find out information about your soil that you have no other way of getting. It will tell you soil type, exchange capacity, soil pH, and how much phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium are presently in the soil. You will receive a recommendation to correct the deficiencies, including pH adjustment, if necessary. The recommendation will aid in optimum growth for your plants. The soil test will not show evidence of insect problems, disease or soil contamination.    What types of tests are available? The homeowner/residential test will have recommendations for fertilizer that is given in pounds per 100 square feet of area. There are farms/large acreage are given in tons per acre. A greenhouse test is for artificial growth media (soil-less mixtures) that are used for greenhouse growing. Call for information about other specific tests.    How do I take a sample? A clean plastic bucket or container and a trowel or small shovel are needed. Decide on the kind of test you want. Go to about a dozen locations in that area. Dig down to the recommended depth and take all the soil from the top down to the bottom in one thin slice. Basically, the soil will be coming from the area in which the roots are growing. Place all the samples for that test in one container and then mix them up. This averages the area and the soil depths. Pick out any sticks, rocks, roots or other plant material. Measure one cup of soil and put it into a plastic sandwich bag.    Can I use one test for multiple kinds of plants, like vegetable garden and lawn?  If you do, you will be disappointed with the results. The test is geared to the crop you want to grow, whether it is vegetables and flowers or lawn or trees and shrubs. Each kind of plant has different requirements for nutrients and soil pH. Unfortunately, they are not interchangeable.    How much soil is needed for a test? Homeowner/residential = one cup. Farm/large acreage = one cup. Greenhouse test = one quart.    What if the soil is wet? Let it air dry on a newspaper at home and then mail it in the MSU box or envelope you purchased.    Do you test the soil at your office?  The soil is mailed by yourself to the Michigan State University Soil and Plant Nutrient Laboratory in East Lansing.    How long does it take to get results? It takes approximately two to three weeks to receive the results.    How much does a soil test cost? The lawn and vegetable garden soil test, postage paid, self mail envelop is $20.00.  Flower garden, tree and shrub and wildlife forage soil test self mail boxes are $20.00.  Lawn and vegetable garden soil test boxes with organic matter analysis included are $25.00.  The organic matter analysis added to any soil test is an additional $5.00.    Where do I take my soil? MSU Extension - Livingston County, 2300 E. Grand River, Howell. Phone: 517/546-3950. Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

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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.  Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824.  This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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MSU Extension - Livingston County
2300 E. Grand River Ave., Suite 111, Howell MI  48843
Phone 517.546.3950   Fax 517.546.5154
Email: MSU Extension

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Last updated:  February 17, 2012  Updated by: L. Coffman