How to sample

Sampling Forms and Decisions:

The Corvallis lab, the Australia lab, the New York lab each have different forms. Don't use the U.S. form to send things to Australia, or vice versa. You will not get your paperwork discount if you do! Click on the appropriate lab to find the right forms.

Ship so that the samples do not arrive on a Saturday or Sunday. (We cannot accept samples on a Saturday or Sunday as the lab is closed. Samples arriving on a Friday cannot be tested for E. coli.)

Guiding Principles

Read this first. State the question you are trying to answer very clearly. The tests you need then should become clear.

Soil Submission

For solid samples, such as soil, sediments, solid products

Compost Submission

For compost samples, leaf litter or other purely organic materials

Compost Tea Submission

For compost samples, leaf litter or other purely organic materials

Leaf

Several samples should be taken

Root

Several sub-samples should be taken and mixed together

Determining Your Sampling Area

Learn about setting the boundaries for your sampling

Sample Depth

Sample from the top 3 inches·

When to Sample

Suggested Sampling Times Through the Year

Taking Samples

Be consistent