Soil Testing Services

How to Take a Soil Sample - Click here for our Soil Testing Fact Sheet.

Why Test Soil?

A soil test will tell you what nutrients are in your soil and what you may need to add (in the form of fertilizer) for successful crop growth. Plants need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (macronutrients) as will as micronutrients to grow. Deficiency or excess of these elements will impact the health and productivity of plants. In addition, the pH (acid/alkaline level) of your soil has an impact upon how much of your soil's nutrients your plants will be able to use. CCE-Nassau Horticulture Programs can provide or arrange several different tests for your soil, and can help you to interpret the results and choose an appropriate course of action if necessary.

pH Testing

A pH test measures the acid/alkaline level of your soil. In the pH scale, 7.0 is considered neutral; lower numbers indicate acid soil, while higher numbers indicate that the soil is alkaline. Most plants prefer a pH of 6.8. pH levels influence nutrient availability, with most nutrients being available to plants when the pH is in this range (6.8-7.0). If a soil is too alkaline or too acid, certain nutrients may be limited. To change soil pH to the desirable range, you will either add lime if the soil is too acid or sulfur if the soil is too alkaline. With your pH test result, we will let you know what amount of lime or sulfur is needed if any.

Our Horticulture Program will perform a pH test on soil samples that are brought to our offices, for a fee of $5/sample. Please see instructions on "How to take a soil sample", and print and complete this form . If you are unable to download or print the form in advance, hard copies are available at our office.

You can also use a Cornell University partner lab., Dairy One, that is open and accepting soil samples by mail.

Dairy-One Laboratory - https://dairyone.com/

(607) 375-9962 or (800) 344-2697 (ask for soil lab customer service)

Standard soil nutrient test $17/sample
This test provides recommendations for establishment and maintenance of home lawns and gardens, commercial turf, commercial vegetables, commercial fruit, and field crops (pasture, hay, annual crops). Measures pH (in water), phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micro nutrients including organic matter. Samples are sent to Dairy-One Lab located at 730 Warren Rd., Ithaca. You will have results back to you within 10-14 days and they will provide Cornell recommendations.

Download and print the appropriate FORM from the Dairy-One website to include with your soil test samples.

Additional tests (available through Dairy-One)