How much does a soil test cost in Colorado?
Getting your soil tested by the Colorado State University Soil, Water & Plant Testing Laboratory is easier with specially designed soil test kits — consisting of a container, instructions and the necessary forms. The kits are free; the price for a soil test varies, but the basic one is $28.
Where can I get my soil tested in Colorado?
There are dozens of soil testing labs. Most Colorado gardeners use the CSU Soil Lab. CSU is a great option, because their testing methods are developed for Colorado soils. However, the CSU lab uses a “sufficiency level” approach to testing, which was developed for large-scale farms.
Is a soil test worth it?
Getting a soil test is a great way to measure its health and fertility. These tests are generally inexpensive, though well worth any cost when it comes to growing and maintaining healthy plants in the garden.
What is a soil boring test?
Soil test borings—Used to determine the consistency of the overburden soils. The soil test borings are usually drilled to auger refusal to check the variability of the bedrock surface. It is common to find soft soil conditions and an erratic rock surface in active sinkhole areas.
How long does a soil test take?
Complete nutrient tests take about 1 – 2 weeks. Results are mailed from the lab directly to you, and a copy also is sent to our office.
Do home soil testing kits work?
Several studies have evaluated some of the various test kits available to home gardeners and have found that some are more accurate than others, and that accuracy can vary depending on which nutrient is being tested for. It’s also important to note that test kits may not be using the most accurate tests for NH soils.
What will a soil test tell you?
The soil test will tell you the percentage of organic matter you have in your soil and will “credit” you a certain amount of nitrogen for it. This will minimize the risk of applying excess nitrogen which might then wash out of your soil and into surrounding waterways.
How deep should a soil boring be?
A minimum of two borings is recommended for custom homes or a single in-fill lot. A minimum boring depth of 15-feet is recommended for the design of post-tensioned or conventially-reinforced slabs. The boring depths for the design of drilled footing foundations should be at least 20-feet deep.
What is a boring sample?
Borings are drilled to specific depths and special sampling tools are used to collect soil samples. The sampling tools are brought up to the surface where samples are taken and placed in appropriate containers for testing at an analytical laboratory.