• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
Galveston County Master Gardeners
Galveston County Master GardenersTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Members Only

  • Menu
  • GCMGA Home
  • About
    • About
    • Visit Us
    • Texas Master Gardener Training Course
  • Calendar
  • Gulf Coast Gardening Newsletters
  • Requests
    • Speaker
    • Ask a Master Gardener Booth
    • Group Tour @ Discovery Garden
  • Resources
    • Resources Home
    • Beneficials in the Garden
    • GCMGA Publications
    • Gardening Problems Handbook
    • GCMGA YouTube Channel
  • Shop
  • Submit a Gardening Question
Home » Soil Testing

Soil Testing

Properly conducted soil sampling and testing can be a cost-effective way to determine the types and amounts of fertilizer and/or other amendments needed to improve plant growth and yield.

Soil testing is done through the Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory in College Station and involves four steps:

  1. Obtain soil sample form by clicking link below or visiting the Extension Office
    • Homeowner sampling form for gardens & landscapes
    • Agricultural producer sampling form
  2. Collect a composite sample by following instructions on the form (samples may be placed in a quart-sized plastic bag or in sample bags from the Extension Office)
  3. Send completed form, payment, and sample(s) to the lab per instructions on the form
  4. Once you have results, use the urban fertilizer calculators on the Soil laboratory website to help you choose the right fertilizer products, or contact the Extension Office to get help interpreting your soil analysis report.
Skip Richter at The Gardens on Aug. 26, 2021. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

Upcoming Events

Mar 12
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Discovery Garden: Open Garden Days

Mar 12
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Butterfly & Pollinator Gardening by M. Haupt @ El Campo Library

Mar 12
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Earth-Kind Gardening by S. Holliday @ Weed & Wish Garden Club

Mar 13
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Plumeria by L. Osteen @ Houston Federation of Garden Clubs

Mar 14
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Herbs by D. Merritt @ Friendswood Garden Emporium

View Calendar

Facebook

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member
  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information