If you will be having your soil tested for a lawn, or flower or vegetable garden, follow these instructions for collecting a soil sample for testing:

Go to approximately 4-6 different locations in the garden or lawn, dig down 6 inches below the surface, and collect ½ cup from each of those locations (collect the soil from that depth, not surface soil). Mix these subsamples together to create a good representation of your garden or lawn. If sample is wet, spread out on newspapers to dry (DO NOT DRY IN OVEN). When sample is dry, bring 2 cups of the soil, in a non-metal container, to our office. The cost for a soil test is $10.00 per sample. The regular soil test includes pH, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and recommendation. If bringing more than one sample, be sure to label samples properly.  If you have questions about collecting a soil sample, please call our office at one of the following numbers:  (269) 944-4126, or 684-5274, 695-3887, 756-9571, or 465-5373, Ext. 4000.

The Berrien County MSU Extension office is located at:

1737 Hillandale Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022