Healthy lawns, gardens, pastures, and farm crops have one thing in common: they start with great soil!
We offer FREE soil testing for Arkansans.
A soil test can mean the difference between success and failure in the garden.
Soil tests are used to determine the pH level and the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium in the soil.
It can help you save money on fertilizer and ensure the success of vegetable crops.
Soil test results will help you fine-tune your fertility program specifically for the soil in your growing area. Reading a soil report doesn't have to be overwhelming. Our agents are here to help.
Check out our Gardening From the Ground Up video to learn how to use your report to make soil amendments.
Soil testing can be done anytime, but the best time is in the fall or in the spring before the lawn greens up.
The soil testing laboratory will not test samples of native soils that have been heavily amended with compost, bagged garden soils, or mulch. Samples containing these materials may contaminate laboratory equipment. Plus, routine analysis of heavily amended soils is not a suitable way to evaluate soil quality for planting.
You can pick up a kit at your local county extension offices.
For Arkansas Taxpayers, there is no fee for us to process and run your samples. Out of State samples will be charged $10 per sample.
Allow about two weeks for the soil test results to show up in your email inbox. If you have any questions once you read it through, feel free to call your county agent! The report will tell you how much lime you need to put out, if any, and the amounts and types of fertilizer you need to apply.
Soil testing in Arkansas is made possible through the work of the Arkansas Soil Testing Board and is funded through fees from the sale of fertilizers.