{"id":5078,"date":"2020-04-27T17:28:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T21:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/somerset\/?page_id=5078"},"modified":"2026-07-23T11:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T15:59:12","slug":"a-quick-reference-for-how-to-take-a-soil-test","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/somerset\/a-quick-reference-for-how-to-take-a-soil-test\/","title":{"rendered":"A Quick Reference for How to Take a Soil Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Soil test kits are available at any University of Maine Cooperative Extension office<\/a>. Here in Somerset County, you can pick up a free\u00a0kit at the Extension office at 7 County Drive in Skowhegan. If you are unable come and\u00a0pick one up, one can be mailed to you; order here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kit includes a box for your soil sample, a form that must be filled out to tell the lab in Orono what you want to grow on the tested soil, and our bulletin #2286, Testing Your Soil<\/a><\/em>. Go out to your lawn or garden armed with a shovel, trowel or a soil sampling tool, and a clean bucket. You will want to take a minimum of 10 cores or soil slices per area sampled. Take them down to a depth of about 8 inches. Mix the soil well in the bucket, and fill the box with soil. You do not have to dry the sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sample needs to be sent to the University of Maine Soil Testing Service in Orono. The cost for a Standard Soil Test is $20 per sample. See the complete list of services and prices<\/a> on the Maine Soil Testing Service’s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, visit the UMaine soil testing lab<\/a> website or watch our informational video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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