Soil pH Testing at Cornell Cooperative Extension
Come in to the Cornell Cooperative Extension office to have your soil tested. Soil pH testing can be done here by Don Gasiewicz, our Agriculture Program Assistant, and by our Wyoming County Master Gardeners. This is a free service for Cooperative Extension enrollees (Click here for more information about enrolling) and $2.00 for non-enrollees.
Agro-One soil nutrient testing is also available here for $12-$23, depending on enrollment and test site. Call Don at 786-2251 for more information.
Instructions: How to Obtain a Proper Soil Sample
Why Do A Soil Test?
Adapted from Gary Gao, Joe Boggs and Jim Chatfield, Ohio State University Extension,and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension
The soil test is an excellent measure of soil fertility. It is an inexpensive way of maintaining good plant health and maximum crop productivity. Soil fertility fluctuates throughout the growing season each year--the quantity and availability of mineral nutrients are altered by the addition of fertilizers, manure, compost, mulch and lime or sulfur, in addition to leaching. Furthermore, a large quantity of mineral nutrients are removed from soils as a result of plant growth and development, and the harvesting of crops. The soil test will determine the current fertility status. It also provides the necessary information needed to maintain optimum fertility year after year.
Some plants grow well over a wide range of soil pH, while others grow best within a narrow range of pH. Most turfgrasses, flowers, ornamental shrubs, vegetables and fruits grow best in slightly acid soils with a pH of 6.1 to 6.9. Plants such as rhododendron, azalea, pieris, mountain laurel and blueberries require a more acidic soil to grow well. A soil test is the only precise way to determine whether the soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.
Most soil nutrients are readily available when soil pH is at 6.5. When pH rises above this value, nutrient elements such as phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper and zinc will become less available. When soil pH drops below 6.5, manganese can reach a toxic level for some sensitive plants.
The soil test takes the guesswork out of fertilization and is extremely cost effective. It not only eliminates the waste of money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, but also eliminates over-usage of fertilizers, hence helping to protect the environment.
Call 585-786-2251 or stop by the office today and speak with Don about getting your soil tested!