SOP for Taking Soil Samples in the CHL Florida Property
Prepared by: Miki Katahira
I. Introduction
A soil test is a process of removing nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and
magnesium are from a soil sample and tested for their availability for plant growth. It helps us
determine how much and what kind of lime and fertilizer should be added for optimal plant
growth, examine whether the soil contains too little or too much nutrient, and promote
environmental friendly use of nutrients through avoiding excess nutrient runoff into surface and
ground water. This document will briefly explain how to take a good soil sample in order to
obtain accurate result for a soil test.
II. Equipment List
Below is the list of equipment required for collecting a soil sample:

sampling tube or auger

shovel or trowel (avoid brass, bronze, or galvanized tools as they will contaminate soils
with metals like zinc and copper)

a tape measure

pail or bucket

soil sample bags

marker pen

newspaper
III. Sample Collection
1. Contact the Hendry County agent for soil information.
2. Divide the field into unique areas for sampling; each unique area should have uniform
characteristic such as soil color, soil type, type of crop grown, or lime/fertilizer histories.
Page 1 of 2
3. The sample should be the average of the area sampled; that is, avoid sampling unusual
areas including wet areas, feeding areas, and old fence rows.
4. Remove non-soil layer from surface of the area sampled.
5. Using a sampling tube or auger, take a core of soil 6 inches deep. Repeat for at least 15
more spots in each area.
6. If using a shovel or trowel, dig a V-shaped hole 6 inches deep and take a slab 1 inch off
one side of the hole. Repeat for at least 15 more spots in each area.
7. Stir samples taken from one area until thoroughly mixed. Take about a pint of the mixed
soil into the sample bag and mark it.
IV. Sample Preparation
1. Spread the soil samples out on newspaper about 1 inch thick.
2. Let the samples dry until the soil color does not change when stirred.
3. Complete an information sheet for the laboratory analysis.
4. Send the samples for a soil test.
Page 2 of 2