College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Public Service and Agriculture

It’s time for fall soil testing, Clemson experts say

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Soil testing in the fall after harvest allows producers easier access to fields.
Access to fields for soil testing is easier in the fall after harvest.
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Fall is in the air and Clemson University experts say now is the time to prepare soil for spring planting.

This process begins with soil tests available from the Clemson Agricultural Service Laboratory.

“Testing soil in the fall allows time for any recommended soil amendments to be applied before the next crop is planted,” said Jonathan Croft, Clemson Extension Agronomic Crops Team member. “This is especially important if lime is needed to adjust soil pH. It can take several months for lime to fully react in the soil. This period can be extended if lime is only applied on the soil surface and rainfall is limited.”

Soil testing in the fall after harvest also gives producers easier access to fields because there are no standing crops in the way.

Soil tests cost $6 per sample and provide information regarding soil pH, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and more.

“Each soil report is tailored to the specific crop and soil results,” said Shannon Alford, Ag Service Lab director. “When growers have their soils tested, they will be given crop-specific recommendations to help make fertility decisions for optimal crop yields.”

Alford advises growers to beat the winter rush and submit samples to the Ag Service Lab as soon as possible.

Separate soil samples should be collected for areas cropped or fertilized differently, or for areas with different soil types or textures. For large areas, one soil sample should represent 10 acres or less. For home gardens, lawns, or ornamental beds, just one sample is required per uniform area.

To collect soil samples:

  • Use a soil auger, spade, or shovel.
  • For cultivated areas, take samples from the surface to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. For pasture or turf, take samples from a depth of 2 to 4 inches.
  • Take sub-samples from at least 10 locations within the sample area.
  • Place the sub-samples in a clean plastic bucket and mix thoroughly.
  • Let moist soil samples air dry overnight on newspaper. Crumble and mix before the soil hardens.
  • Label each soil bag and fill it to the line (about 2 cups).
Soil samples can be submitted at the Clemson Extension TEACH Center in the Citadel Mall, Charleston, at local Clemson Extension offices, or at the Clemson Ag Service Laboratory in Clemson, South Carolina.
Soil samples can be submitted at local Clemson Extension offices, the Clemson Extension TEACH Center in the Citadel Mall, Charleston, and at the Ag Service Lab in Clemson.

A completed Clemson soil analysis form should accompany each sample. Information about soil sample mailer kits is available online.

Soil samples can be submitted at local Cooperative Extension Service offices.

People living in the Clemson area can also bring soil samples to the Ag Service Lab, 171 Old Cherry Road, Clemson, SC 29634, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Samples, completed forms and payments can be put in the dropbox at the lab loading dock.

People living in the Charleston, South Carolina area can drop off soil samples, completed forms and payments at the Clemson Extension TEACH Center in the Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407.

More soil test information is available from the Clemson Home and Garden Information Center.

Once clients receive their reports, they can call Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center at (888) 656-9988 or their local Extension Service office for consultation. To reach the Ag Service Lab, call (864) 656-2068 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or email agsrvlb@clemson.edu.

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