Single Depth

SF1

$38.00

N, P, K, S

SF2

$44.00

N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM

SF3

$50.00

N, P ,K, S, pH, EC, OM, Ca, Mg, Na, ECEC, LR, %BS, K/Mg

SF6

$44.00

B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn

SF7

$69.00

N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn

SF8

$76.00

N, K, P, S, pH, EC, OM, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, ECEC, LR, %BS, K/Mg

Multiple Depths

SF10

$57.00

1:N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM
2:N, S, pH, EC

SF11

$76.00

1:N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM
2:N
3:N
4:N

SF12

$68.00

1:N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM, Ca, Mg, Na, ECEC, LR
%BS, k/Mg
2:N, S, pH, EC

SF13

$80.00

1:N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn
2:N, S, pH, EC

SF14

$98.00

1:N, K, P, S, pH, EC, OM, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, ECEC, LR, %BS, K/Mg
2:N, S, pH, EC

SF15

$80.00

1:N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM
2:N, S, pH, EC
3:N

SF16

$103.00

1:N, P, K, S, pH, EC, OM, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn
2:N, S, pH, EC
3:N

Additional Packages

SFI Individual Tests

$18.00

Add to existing Package $10

SFECEC Estimated CEC

$33.00

SFSO4 Sulfate

$25.00

SFCL Chloride

$18.00

SAR Irrigation Suitability

$55.00

ST Soil Texture

$26.00

Soil Probe Sale

$285.00

Soil Probe Rental/Day

$5.00

Turn Around

Regular - In busy season (Spring & Fall):

5 Business Days

Regular - Out of busy season:

3 Business Days

50% Rush (additional 50% surcharge):

3 Business Days

100% Rush (additional 100% surcharge):

2 Business Days

Ammonium:

Add 1 Business Day to Turnaround Times

Terms & Definitions

LR:

Lime Requirements. The amount of lime required to neutralize the soil to attain favourable plant growth.

ECEC:

Estimated Cation Exchange Capacity. ECEC is a calculated value that estimates the soil's ability to hold and exchange cation elements.

%BS:

% Base Saturation. It is an estimate of the percent of the soil CEC that is filled by a nutrient or the sum of a group of cations (base saturation).

EC:

Electrical Conductivity. EC is a measure of the amount of salts in soil. It is an indicator of soil health.

OM:

Organic Matter. The percent of the soil weight that is composed of Organic components.

K/Mg:

The ratio of Potassium to Magnesium.

N:

Nitrogen

P:

Phosphoros

K:

Potassium

S:

Sulfur

Ca:

Calcium

Mg:

Magnesium

Na:

Sodium

B:

Boron

Cu:

Copper

Fe:

Iron

Mn:

Manganese

Zn:

Zinc

Online Submission Forms

Submit your sample online using one of the forms below.

Soil Fertility Submission Form:

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a document providing information on sampling methods. You can access it at the following link.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex1341


Instructions for Sample Collection:

First you will need to decide whether you would like to collect two samples for two different depths or just one sample for one depth. Choosing what depth to collect the sample(s) at is dependent on what you are planning to grow. For example:

Berries collect 0-6 inches

Lettuce, melons, and grass collect 0-6, 6-12 depths

Potatoes, corn, and pumpkins collect 0-6, 6-24 depths

Hay Grasses (brome, fescue, pasture) and alfalfa grass collect 0-12, 12-24 depths


**For instructions on how to properly collect the sample, please see the side of the Down to Earth Labs sample bags**

For all samples, 1-2 cups or 250 grams is all that is needed for proper soil testing. For reference, this would be the size of a small sandwhich bag filled with soil.

Sample bags can be obtained from Down to Earth Labs at any time, free of charge. Simply add them to your shopping cart on the Products page or drop by the lab to pick them up.

Label the sample bag with:

  • Customer = The name of the person or company that is to be on the official report of results 
  • Grower = If a company is collecting the sample for someone else, that person's name. If you are collecting the sample for yourself, you can leave this section blank and just use the Customer section for your name. 
  • Field ID = Location sample was taken from (For example, a land location or field name)
  • Sample ID = This section is optional but can be used for other useful information (For example, Zone 1)
  • Depth = The depth at which the sample was taken (For example, 0-6", 6-12", 0-12", etc.) 

**If you are local, we have soil probes for rent at $5/day to collect the soil sample**

What to Test?

The most common test packages are as follows:

Testing Purpose
Package
General SF2
Farmer SF10, SF13, SF14
Sugar Beet Field SF11, SF15, SF16
Comprehensive Testing SF14
Basic Testing SF10
Single Depth Testing SF2, SF7, SF8

Instructions for Sample Submission:

When dropping off or shipping samples, please ensure you have completely filled out and signed the appropriate submission form. The form for soil fertility testing can be found under the Files & Online Submissions tab at the top of this page. You can submit your request for testing online through the same link or fill out and print off the form to send in with your samples. Samples submitted without testing information (whether submitted online or in paper form) will be put on hold until all necessary information has been obtained (including a signature).