March 19, 2024

SAMPLING GUIDELINES

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SAMPLING GUIDELINES

Soil Chemistry Sampling Instructions

Take several representative 1″ diameter cores from the upper 3″ of the soil.
Mix the cores together.
Place 1 cup of this mixture into a sealable sandwich-size plasitic bag.
Soil Biology Sampling Instructions

Take several representative 1″ diameter cores from the upper 3″ of the soil.
Mix the cores together.
Place 2 cups of this mixture into a sealable sandwich-size plasitic bag.
Compost Sampling Instructions

Take several samples from 6″- 12″ into the pile, halfway between the top and the ground
Mix samples together.
Place 2 cups of this mixture into a sealable sandwich-size plasitic bag.
Compost Tea Sampling Instructions

Take several samples from the centre of your brewer and mix together.
Using a clean 1 liter plastic bottle, fill 1/3 with compost tea, leaving 2/3 for air.
Leaf Sampling Instructions

Decide what part of the foliage you need to know about: the outer leaves, the inner leaves, shade leaves, sun leaves, the petiole, the bark on twigs or main branches, the flowers, the pollen, etc. Remove that part of the plant that you are interested in, touching the plant material to the least extent possible because your fingers carry microorganisms.
Place the plant material in a plastic bag, ship via overnight mail.
IMPORTANT SOIL SAMPLING INFORMATION
If you are sampling year-to-year in order to follow trends, please follow these procedures for accurate results:

Sampling on the same day every year does not guarantee accuracy, as biology knows no time.

Taking good records when you first sampled (temp, moisture, rain, etc.) and making sure you sample under the same conditions again is the only way to ensure accurate results.

Cold temperature soil will automatically have less active biology than warm soils. Sampling when your soil is at an average temperature for the growing season is recommended, although not necessary.

For further information, please call our lab at 403-485-6981

Test description form available here.

SENDING THE SAMPLE

Send sample and completed submission form by COURIER SERVICE to:
Soil Foodweb Canada Ltd.

Recommend Couriers – Sample must be sent by RUSH or NEXT DAY Service

If sending via Canada Post please send express post prior to Wednesday to ensure prompt processing.
Payment Information

Test prices on the Submission Form.
Samples arriving with no submission form will incur a $5.00 handling fee.
Payment must be received in full via credit card or cheque before lab report can be sent.