Sample Collection and Soil Profiling

Did you know that the sampling process itself can be the greatest source of error in a soil testing effort?

We can help you with collecting representative samples and evaluating the profile of your soil.

For instance, we can help you design and apply a sampling protocol covering your grow area and at different depths.

The first visit is complimentary. An unlimited number of samples per visit.

Within 50km of our downtown location in Whitehorse		$65 per visit
Beyond 50 km of our downtown location in Whitehorse (click here for details)	scheduled as part of a visit to a local community market	$65 per visit
	not scheduled as part of a visit to a local community market	$65 per visit + $0.61/km

 

Alternatively, you can provide sample(s) in a Ziploc or other air-tight container. Drop your sample(s) Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm at our downtown location in Whitehorse at Northlight Innovation Hub, or at our booth at the Fireweed Market 3-7pm Thursdays May-June. You can also choose to mail it (see Contact for details).

Taking a sample

First thing to consider is the objective, i.e. what do you plan to grow? This will dictate whether you should take samples at a single depth or not, and how deep. For instance:

	First depth  (in)	Second depth (in)
Berries	0-6	no need
Lettuce, melons, grass	0-6	6-12
Potatoes, corn, pumpkins	0-6	6-24
Hay grasses (e.g. brome, fesuce, pasture), alfalfa	0-12	12-24

 

Second thing to consider is representativity, i.e. how homogeneous are the conditions? This will dictate how many samples you should get analyzed. For each area that is relatively homogeneous, a composite sample can be made from which you will extract 1-2 cups to be analysed. For instance you could scoop a trowel-full of dirt from 6-10 random locations across the homogeneous area and mix that into a pail from which the 1-2 cups representative sample would be extracted. This should be repeated for each area that is relatively homogeneous.

 

The following are examples of sample collection protocols developed for agriculture and adaptable to gardening and soil reclamation projects:

Cornell U., 2020. Soil Sampling Protocol. Soil Heatlh Assessment - Part II.
Government of Alberta, 2020. Soil Sampling. Chapter 3.3. pp. 87-97.
Purdue University, 2018. Soil Sampling Guidelines. 6 p.
USDA, 2020. Sampling Soils for Nutirent Management: Helping People Help the Land. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Services. 2 p.