Soil Testing Spring 2024

Underwood Conservation District offers technical assistance to residents of west Klickitat and Skamania Counties on soil, manure, and compost nutrient testing. Maintaining good soil fertility is crucial for growing quality crops and forage, and soil testing helps landowners learn more about their soil condition and better manage nutrient applications.  Contact James at james@ucdwa.org for more information about proper soil testing techniques and lab report interpretation.  Also, consider using soil testing tools available at our Farm Tool Library.

UCD will be offering free soil testing this spring.  Please fill out the Soil Testing Form.  Once the form is filled out and soil samples are collected by landowner, the collected samples can be dropped off March 15th, April 17th, and May 15th from noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Farm Tool Library located at the Estes St parking lot of the Mt View Grange in White Salmon.  UCD will send out the soil samples for analysis and results will be distributed.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact James at james@ucdwa.org or 509-493-1936 ext. 7.

Here are techniques to follow to obtain the meaningful soil test you are looking for:

• Use a clean sampling tool to collect 2 pounds of soil.

• Sample your field at 10 different locations, and then mix soil to ensure that your sample is representative of your entire field.

• Before collecting each subsample, scrape away surface residue then collect your sample between 0-12 inches, or the depth of tillage. A deeper sample may be even better for deep rooting crops.

• Sample at the proper time of year, usually either fall or spring depending on your crop.

Most tests will include the following results:

• Ammonium Nitrogen and Nitrate Nitrogen

• pH and Organic Matter Content

• Macronutrients: Phosphorous and Potassium

• Micronutrients: Boron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper and Iron

To view a sample report, click HERE. To view a soil test interpretation guide, click HERE.

If you would like to purchase a soil test independently, A&L Western Lab is one option.  Search for other accredited labs in the area here.