Soil Testing Services

Soil Testing Update

Our office is currently closed to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions however we will still be offering soil pH testing. There is a drop box labelled for soil samples in our front foyer. Please leave your samples labelled with your name and address in the box. There is a simple one page form in the box to also fill out. We will be doing samples once or twice a week and will mail or e-mail you the results. The cost is $5 per sample. You can mail that to the office or place it in the 4-H drop box on the right side of the foyer. Once the office is reopened you can drop off samples during business hours 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM M-TH, 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM F.

Commercial growers and others that wish to send samples to the Agro One Lab in Ithaca for nutrient testing can obtain mailing boxes and forms directly from www.dairyone.com.Please contact John Farfaglia, jaf21@cornell.edu or 433-8839 ext. 226 if you have additional questions.

---

Why Test Soil?

A soil test will tell you what nutrients are in your soil and what you may need to add (in the form of fertilizer) for successful crop growth. Plants need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (macronutrients) as will as micronutrients to grow. Deficiency or excess of these elements will impact the health and productivity of plants. In addition, the pH (acid/alkaline level) of your soil has an impact upon how much of your soil's nutrients your plants will be able to use. CCE-Niagara's Agriculture and Horticulture Programs can provide or arrange several different tests for your soil, and can help you to interpret the results and choose an appropriate course of action if necessary.

pH Testing

A pH test measures the acid/alkaline level of your soil. In the pH scale, 7.0 is considered neutral; lower numbers indicate acid soil, while higher numbers indicate that the soil is alkaline. Most plants prefer a pH of 6.8. pH levels influence nutrient availability, with most nutrients being available to plants when the pH is in this range (6.8-7.0). If a soil is too alkaline or too acid, certain nutrients may be limited. To change soil pH to the desirable range, you will either add lime if the soil is too acid or sulfur if the soil is too alkaline. With your pH test result, we will let you know what amount of lime or sulfur is needed if any.

The CCE-Niagara Horticulture Program will perform a pH test on soil samples that are brought to our Administration Office at 4487 Lake Avenue, for a fee of $5/sample.

We also sell Cornell pH Test Kits. When properly used, the pH can be determined to approximately +0.1 pH unit. This is adequate for most situations. Note: the pH kit cannot be used accurately by a color blind person. We offer the following kits:

• Standard Range Kit (5.0-7.2), $15/box
• Wide Range Kit (3.8-8.2), $8/box
• pH solution bottle refills, $1/bottle

Nutrient Analysis

Soil samples for nutrient analysis may be brought to the CCE-Niagara Education Center, along with the appropriate form and fee, and we will send them to the Agro-One Soils Laboratory in Ithaca for testing. Copies of the test results are returned to the individual and to CCE-Niagara about one week later, and you can contact us if necessary for assistance in interpreting your results.

Agro-One Soils Laboratory (800) 344-2697 x 2179

Standard soil nutrient test $10/sample
This test provides recommendations for establishment and maintenance of home lawns and gardens, commercial turf, commercial vegetables, commercial fruit, and field crops (pasture, hay, annual crops). Measures pH (in water), phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micro nutrients including organic matter. Samples are sent to Agro-One Lab located at 730 Warren Rd., Ithaca. Expect at least one week for test results to be returned.

Additional tests (available through Agro-One)

• Soluble Salts $5
• No-till pH, $5
• Nitrate, $5
• Boron, $10

Last updated April 3, 2020