Why Test Your Soil?

• Match plants to your specific soil conditions;
• Basis for using lime and fertilizer
• Diagnosing problems
• Evaluating nutrient balances
• Protecting the environment

What does a standard MSU Extension Soil Test Tell You?

• The basic texture of your soil;
• The pH of your soil;
• The nutrient levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and,
• A fertilizer recommendation based on the type of plants you are growing.

The standard MSU Extension Soil Test Does Not Provide:

• Nitrogen Content -Toxic Contamination
• Organic Matter -The “Mysterious Unknown”
• Soil Borne Pests
• Organic Matter content and Soil Borne pests analyses are available for an extra charge. Please ask an MSUE employee for details.

How does MSU Extension Soil Testing work in Wexford County?

1) Collect your soil sample following the directions below.

• Go through the entire area to be tested (the lawn, garden, field, etc.) collecting 15-20 small samples of soil from many locations. If one area has particularly good drainage, and another very poor drainage, make sure to collect samples from both these locations. The objective is to create one big sample which accurately represents the entire area to be tested.
• Take samples from root level (approximately three to six inches deep).
• Combine the many samples from throughout the testing area and mix thoroughly. Of this mixture, extract approximately two cups of soil to submit as your sample.
• Note that all samples must be completely dry when they are submitted. We cannot mail wet soil to the lab. If your sample is still damp, spread it out on a paper plate for a day or two, until it air-dries.

2) Bring your sample in a plastic bag or other container to our office.

3) An extension employee will ask you a few questions about the history of the soil (what has been grown in it, if anything) and what you plan on growing in it. These questions will help the employee accurately fill out the soil test form that will accompany your sample to campus.

4) The Soil and Plant Nutrient Laboratory on the MSU campus analyzes your soil sample, and sends the results back to the Wexford County Extension Office.

5) One of our Extension Educators will interpret the results for you, make some recommendations and then mail the information to you.

The entire turn around time is 2-4 weeks. The total cost for a soil test is $12/each. Checks can be made payable to "MSU Extension".

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