PSU Kits for Testing Your Soil
Posted: February 10, 2011
Test Your Soil
Soil tests are performed at the Agricultural Analytical Services Lab in University Park. Soil test kits are available from the Allegheny County extension office in Point Breeze. The initial kit costs $12; any additional kits are $9. Directions for collecting the soil samples and completing the paperwork for obtaining a soil test report from Penn State’s laboratory are included in the kit or watch the u-tube link on testing soil.
Penn State’s soil test lab results report the amounts of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the soil as well as its pH level. The report also includes research-based recommendations for the type and amount of nutrients, if needed, to adjust your soil for optimum growth of your specific group of plants.
Click here for a video instructions on how to take soil sample.
Click here for a video on what happens to the soil sample at the Penn State soil test lab and how to use the test results.
Test Your Water
To submit a drinking water sample to Penn State's laboratory, you must first obtain a a free Drinking Water Test Kit from the Allegheny County Extension office. For more information on water testing, visit Ag Analytical Services.
