Soil testing is available for $25 per sample. You can purchase your test to take home and complete/mail during our office hours. We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. If you plan on paying with cash, please bring exact change. 

The testing service is provided by A&L Great Lakes Laboratories and includes up to 3 fertilizer recommendations. Analyses includes organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, CEC, pH, and buffer pH.

Not sure how to complete your test? Check out this video to learn more! Still stumped? Call our offices at (513) 695-1337 - we can't wait to help!

*Please note: As of 12/31/22, MSU Soils Test Laboratory permanently closed. We have a new soil testing provider: A&L Great Lakes Laboratories. The new "test kit" includes a form (no box). Soil samples can be placed in a plastic bag and mailed in a mailer of your choice.

Why should I test my soil?

Soil testing is a tool to evaluate nutrient imbalances and understand plant growth. The most important reason to soil test is to have a basis for intelligent application of fertilizer and lime. Soil testing allows homeowners to adjust soil pH to the optimum range (6.0-7.0), which makes nutrients more available for plant growth. You can also avoid contaminants that can enter our surface and ground waters through over-application of phosphorous or nitrogen fertilizers. Soil test results provide information about the soil’s ability to supply nutrients to plants for adequate growth and are the basis of deciding how much lime and fertilizer are needed. Soil testing can also offer cost savings.  Why apply what you don’t need? 

How often should I test my soil?

Soil tests should be performed every 3-5 years based on use. A heavy use, changing the soil profile and nutrient content rapidly would be a vegetable garden. A lighter use that would cause soil characteristics to remain somewhat consistent would be lawn grass.

To learn more, check out Ohio State University Extension's guide:

Soil Testing for Ohio Lawns, Landscapes, Fruit Crops, and Vegetable Gardens