Soil Sampling

Students will learn how to sample soil to be analyzed for nutrient and lime requirements for proper plant growth.

By Douglas Best

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Learning outcomes

Students will learn the procedures and steps for taking a soil sample, which will be analyzed in a laboratory to make sure nutrients are available for the proper growth of plants. The procedures discussed are primarily for lawns, gardens, pastures, or fields.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

90.00 minutes

Materials/resources

• Soil test boxes, information sheets, and directions are available from The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection (NCDA&CS) or The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (NCCES). There is no charge to citizens of North Carolina for these materials or for performing the lab analysis on the soil.
• A soil testing tube, a soil auger, or some type of spade or shovel, and a clean plastic pail will be needed. The pail can be any convenient size from one to five gallons.
• An area of soil accessible for the class to sample such as school lawn, a garden area, a field, or a flower bed.

Technology resources

• A computer with Internet access will be helpful. Directions on basic sampling can be read at the NCDA&CS site and found at the NCCES Teletip site.
• Access to a telephone, along with a speaker, will be helpful if listening to teletip information. This information includes directions for ordering a teletip brochure, phone numbers for local extension offices, and directions for soil sampling.
• Audio-visuals may be used if available.

Pre-activities

• Introduce students to basic physiology of plant growth and nutrient requirements.
• Introduction to basic soil science including the description and role of topsoil and fertilizers for plant production.
• Students should call and listen to, or read information from the Internet, or from prepared handouts on how to take soil samples.

Activities

1. Conduct a presentation and discussion on why soils are sampled. The directions for sampling should also be discussed.
2. Have the class discuss and choose an area to be sampled. If available, the fertilization record for the area should be reviewed. The discussion should include past and future crops to be grown on the area.
3. A map of the area should be reviewed or drawn for the area. The area to be sampled should be assigned an identification number or name if one does not exist. This number will be used on the paper work to be sent in with the sample.
4. Select a soil testing tube, a soil auger, or some type of spade or shovel to be used to collect soil for the sample. Select a clean plastic bucket to mix the soil after it is collected.
5. Take the class to the area to be sampled. Since a sample should include soil from several sites, let each student in the class select a site they think is appropriate to collect soil from to include in the sample. Go to each site and get a sample or explain to the students why the site is not appropropriate. As students get soil from each appropriate location, the students may go as a group to the next site.
6. Once soil has been collected from several appropriate locations, the soil should be mixed and items such as roots, stems, leaves, and other non-soil materials should be removed.
7. Allow the soil to air dry, if necessary, and then pour about a half pint of soil into the sampling box.
8. The box must be closed according to directions. The attached information sheet and information on the box must be completed. It is important to make sure an ID number matches the information to the site. Be sure not to put the information sheet in the box with the soil.
9. The soil sample and information sheet may be mailed through the USPS to:

   NCDA&CS Agronomic Division
   Soil Testing Section
   1040 Mail Service Center
   Raleigh, NC 27699-1040

   Save postage by dropping off the samples at the local NC Cooperative Extension Service Office. Find the nearest office athttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=countycenters
10. See if your local Agriculture Agent can visit the class to help explain the results of the soil sample reports.

Assessment

• Soil samples will be properly taken, properly packed, and prepared to be presented for analysis.
• Questions from curriculum test will indicate if students have mastered the concept.
• Students may take more samples at home, school, or work sites.

Supplemental information

Information sheets and directions for taking soil samples can be obtained from The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Students or teachers can locate the NCCES location in their county from the website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=countycenters
or by calling Teletip at 1-800-662-7301. Teachers and/or students can also order a free teletip brochure at this number and listen to message #5139 for instructions on taking a soil sample. The teletip can be heard online at
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/teletip/scripts/5139.htm

Related websites

NC Cooperative Extension
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/

North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Teletips
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/teletip

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
http://www.agr.state.nc.us

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Agronomic Division-Soil Testing
http://www.ncagr.com/agronomi/sthome.htm

Comments

Soil sampling abilities will be helpful to anyone with horticultural or crop production interest and to future home owners. Using sample results to determine the proper amounts of lime and fertilizers to use will result in healthier plants, saving money, and reducing runoff pollution from using excessive fertilizers.