Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Christy Hicks

Regional Extension Agent

Agronomic Crops

November 1, 2011

Help Your Soil Be All It Can Be!

Soil sampling is a fundamental component of sustainable farming programs that are profitable, efficient and environmentally responsible.  Early fall is an ideal time to soil test because growers can get results back in time to develop a fertility plan for spring.  Also, if lime is needed it can be applied and have ample time to react with the soil and provide proper pH for spring planting.

There are 16 nutrient elements that plants need for growth.  Three essential nutrients; carbon (C) hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O2) are taken up from atmospheric carbon dioxide and water.  The remaining 13 nutrients are taken up from the soil and they are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, and molybdenum.  Knowing the nutrients required for plants is only one aspect of being a successful grower.  In order to optimize yields, applying the correct rate, using the correct source of nutrients and timing of the application are also required.  Managing pH in soils will help increase availability of plant nutrients.

Soil Sampling Tips

Soils within the same field can vary; therefore each sample should be a mixture of subsamples from at least 10 or more places in each area.  For field crops, a single sample should not represent more than 10 acres.  Subsamples should be placed in a clean plastic or stainless steel bucket and thoroughly mixed.  Fill the soil sample box with the thoroughly mixed sample.  Mail your soil samples, information sheet and check or money order for $7.00 per sample box to the Soil Testing Laboratory.

Growers with Precision Ag capabilities should be aware that precision soil sampling provides the most efficient use of inputs and environmental quality.  The two types of precision sampling are Grid and Zone.  Grid sampling divides the area into grids using GIS software.  Some advantages of Grid sampling include assessing nutrient availability, identifying trouble areas and minimizing excess nutrient application.  The field is divided into regions based on soil or yield properties with Zone sampling.  A few advantages of Zone sampling include, zones are based on past performance and basic properties; it is more economical and classifies on spatial variability.

Sampling Depths: Plowed fields – Plow Depth, No till fields – 4”, Pastures – 2-3”, Lawns – 2-3”, Gardens – 6”, and Orchards – 8-12”.

Below is a suggested method for collecting samples from fields and lawns.

Please visit the Soil Testing Laboratory at Auburn University website at http://www.aces.edu/anr/soillab/  for a wealth of information on soil sampling or call the

Baldwin County Extension office at 251-937-7176.

Email address: agnewcd@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5061, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Baldwin County Extension Programs are supported by the Baldwin County Commission.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.