Forest Soil Testing Protocol
A forest soil testing protocol for collecting soil samples from woodland sites. It lists steps to sample, label, and send samples to a lab.
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The steps on this page
- Choose the sampling areas
- Divide areas by soil type
- Clear surface litter
- Collect samples with a clean tool
- Combine samples in a clean bucket
- Label each sample
- Fill out the lab form
- Send samples to the lab
- Record results in your file
How to use this guide
Follow the steps in order and write down any changes you make. Where your equipment or product has instructions, those come first.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA NRCS and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the Rural Farm Life. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including From Soil to Success: How Texas Tech’s Dirt Experts Are Cultivating the Future, and farming farm stories.