soil sampling questions

paradajky · June 12, 2023

Hi:
My university extension center doesn't do soil samples, but instead provides a list of commercial groups that perform soil analysis for a fee (and it's kind of pricey).

These vendors provide instructions for gathering a sample which includes collection from a few different sections of the garden.

The specific 8x20 garden bed I'd like to test seems to have differing compositions - one area is quite dry, more clumpy hard clay with almost no visible organic matter, another area is a wett-ish clay with improving texture, and a third area seems to have much more organic matter in it. Part of this is because the bed is on a hill.

Do I need to do separate tests for the garden sections that have differing soil, or just take samples from each section and use the results as an "average" ?

June 12, 2023	#1
paradajky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2021 Location: Coastal Southern CA Posts: 164	soil sampling questions Hi: My university extension center doesn't do soil samples, but instead provides a list of commercial groups that perform soil analysis for a fee (and it's kind of pricey). These vendors provide instructions for gathering a sample which includes collection from a few different sections of the garden. The specific 8x20 garden bed I'd like to test seems to have differing compositions - one area is quite dry, more clumpy hard clay with almost no visible organic matter, another area is a wett-ish clay with improving texture, and a third area seems to have much more organic matter in it. Part of this is because the bed is on a hill. Do I need to do separate tests for the garden sections that have differing soil, or just take samples from each section and use the results as an "average" ?