Soil Sampling

If You Are Not Taking Bulk Density Samples

If you are using a Soil Pit or other Exposed Soil Profile (road cut)

Soil Science Basics

Soil & the Environment

Working with soil

Soil & Students

Soil & Agriculture

1. Dig a large sample from each soil horizon. Avoid the area of the soil face that was tested for carbonates and avoid touching the soil samples so that you pH measurements will not be contaminated.

sample from horizon

2. Place each sample in a bag or other soil container.

soil in bag

3. Label each bag with the site name, horizon name, and top and bottom depths.

Soil bag with label

4. Bring these samples in from the field.

5. Spread the samples on separate plastic plates or sheets of newspaper to dry in the air.

Soil on newspaper

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Last Updated: September 17, 2001