{"id":3655,"date":"2021-03-02T15:45:36","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T23:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/?page_id=3655"},"modified":"2026-04-16T16:33:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T23:33:44","slug":"soil-testing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/hg\/soil-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Soil Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter side-right\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>List of local labs:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2025\/09\/SoilTestingLocalLabsMay2022.pdf\">Local Labs Soil Testing<\/a> <em>(pdf)<\/em><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3656\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/soil-hands-gloves.png\" alt=\"gloved hands holding soil\" width=\"417\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/soil-hands-gloves.png 417w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/soil-hands-gloves-283x300.png 283w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/soil-hands-gloves-396x420.png 396w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%\">Soil sampling a great tool for home gardeners to assess conditions of their landscape beds, vegetable beds, lawns, etc.<\/p>\n<p>A good soil testing program can be divided into four parts:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">1 &#8211; Taking the sample<br \/>\n2 &#8211; Analyzing the sample<br \/>\n3 &#8211; Interpreting the sample analysis<br \/>\n4 &#8211; Making recommendations<\/p>\n<p>We can assist with how, when, and why to test your soils.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Read this to get started:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/SoilTestingHomeGardeners.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Soil Testing for Home Gardeners<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Collect a Soil Sample (video):<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text\/html' width='640' height='390' src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JgBlQViclaM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;autohide=2&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen='true'><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>How to collect soil samples:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/puyallup.wsu.edu\/soils\/soils\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/puyallup.wsu.edu\/soils\/soils\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once you take a sample, you must <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/Local-Labs-Soil-Testing_upMar2021.pdf\">send it to a laboratory<\/a> for analysis. <em>NOTE: WSU maintains a database of labs, inclusion of a laboratory or consultant in this list does not imply any endorsement by WSU.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Interpreting Results:<\/strong> After you receive results from the lab WSU Whatcom can assist you with guidance. Contact the WSU Whatcom MG plant clinic at: <a href=\"mailto:mg.whatcom@wsu.edu\">mg.whatcom@wsu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  two\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2133 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/03\/MG-Program-Master2line220.gif\" alt=\"Master Gardener Program\" width=\"220\" height=\"91\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>Cultivating plants, people and communities since 1973.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Program Contact:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Kristen Barta<\/strong>, Program Coordinator<br \/>\n(360) 778-5811<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:kristen.barta@wsu.edu\">kristen.barta@wsu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Master Gardener Training Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Attend the Washington Green School and if you choose, to also become a Master Gardener. More info at our <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/hg\/hg-mgbecome\/\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/10\/ProgramPriorities2021.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4238 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/10\/ProgramPriorities2021web_B.png\" alt=\"Program Priorities Map\" width=\"360\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/10\/ProgramPriorities2021web_B.png 360w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/10\/ProgramPriorities2021web_B-300x197.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Helpful Resources:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/04\/MG-Tomato-Sales-2020-descriptions.pdf\">Tomato Varieties<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/s3.wp.wsu.edu\/uploads\/sites\/2070\/2019\/09\/FS145E.pdf\">Growing Tomatoes WSU Factsheet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/04\/GROWING-DAHLIAS-Pamphlet.pdf\">Growing Dahlias<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/04\/Important-GardeningLinks.pdf\">Important Gardening Links<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/SoilTestingHomeGardeners.pdf\">Soil Testing for Home Gardeners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2021\/03\/Local-Labs-Soil-Testing_upMar2021.pdf\">Soil Tests &#8211; Locally<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/hg\/mg\/\">Master Gardeners Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/hg\/mgfoundation\/\">Master Gardener Foundation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/hg\/commgardens\/\">Community Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/hg\/composting\">Composting &amp; Recycling<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h6>Highlights:<\/h6>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/03\/HovanderBrochure2020.pdf\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2085\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/03\/HovanderMapTN.gif\" alt=\"Partial map of Hovander Gardens\" width=\"210\" height=\"159\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2020\/03\/HovanderBrochure2020.pdf\">Hovander Demonstration Gardens Brochure<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/whatcomMG\/?ref=ts\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1094 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2093\/2019\/08\/facebook_ch.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"77\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>List of local labs: Local Labs Soil Testing (pdf) Soil sampling a great tool for home gardeners to assess conditions of their landscape beds, vegetable beds, lawns, etc. A good soil testing program can be&amp;hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":223,"featured_media":0,"parent":710,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3655"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/223"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3655"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6974,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3655\/revisions\/6974"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3655"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=3655"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/whatcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=3655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}