Soil nutrient testing

Regular soil nutrient sampling and analysis is a central part of nutrient management planning and monitoring. Soil sampling can inform the right rate of nutrients for optimal growth and yield and provide a check on the efficiency of nutrient use.

There are several steps involved in getting an accurate sample and turning it into a useful fertility recommendation.

1.  Take the samples

How and when a soil sample is collected matters.  What you can interpret from the results will depend on the way a sample is collected.  Generally, pre-plant, post harvest, or troubleshooting are the main sampling strategies to consider. 

• Soil Sampling Guidelines
• Soil Sampling Guide summary factsheet (PDF)

If your sample needs to provide a post-harvest nitrate test in order to determine the amount of nitrate in the soil after crop harvest, follow the specific guidance provided for post-harvest nitrate testing.

2. Have the soil samples analyzed

Once soil sampling has been completed, it should be sent to a soil testing laboratory for analysis. Laboratories will use different soil extractants, solutions designed to remove nutrients from soil for analysis, so be sure to record which one is used.

• View laboratories for soil analysis (PDF)

3. Interpret the results

Soil test results provide a snapshot of the nutrient status in the soil at the time of sampling.  To interpret a report, how and when the sample was taken, as well as the type of lab analysis should be considered.

• The Nutrient Management Calculator can be used to evaluate soil test results and plan accordingly.
• Information and resources for soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)

Other resources available to interpret test results include:

• Soil pH
• Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Methods and Interpretations of Their Results for British Columbia Agricultural Soils  (PDF, 1.4 MB)