Details of the testing procedures for the individual soil analyses can be found in the Soil Health Assessment section of the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health – The Cornell Framework Manual.
Basic Soil Health Analysis Package
Cost: $60 per sample
Required sample size: 3 cups
Recommended applications: field crops, dairy, lawns
Includes these tests:
- Soil pH, Organic Matter, Modified Morgan Extractable P, K, and micronutrients
- Wet Aggregate Stability
- Soil Respiration
- Surface, sub-surface hardness interpretation (Optional: You provide the penetrometer readings.)
Standard Soil Health Analysis Package
Cost: $110 per sample
Required sample size: 4 cups
Recommended applications: organic production, vegetable crops, problem diagnosis, home gardens
Includes these tests:
- Soil pH, Organic Matter, Modified Morgan Extractable P, K, micronutrients
- Soil Texture
- Active Carbon
- Wet Aggregate Stability
- Soil Respiration
- Autoclave-Citrate Extractable (ACE) Protein Test
- Predicted Available Water Capacity (new for 2019)
- Surface, sub-surface hardness interpretation (Optional: You provide the penetrometer readings.)
Extended Soil Health Analysis Package
Cost: $170 per sample
Required sample size: 6 cups
Recommended applications: urban/ suburban gardens, problem diagnosis, soil health initializing, home gardens, landscaped areas
Includes Standard Soil Health Analysis Package plus:
- Add-on Soluble Salts
- Add-on Heavy Metal Screening
- Add-on Root Health Bio-Assay
NOTE: Due to United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regulations the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory cannot perform the Bean Root Bio-Assay on restricted or quarantined soil. Please follow this link for a list of states and counties that fall under this category.
Special handling for all packages: Keep samples away from sunlight and heat, refrigerate and submit promptly using rapid shipping. (See Sample storage and shipment guidelines.)
FAQ’s:
When can I expect my results? Please expect an email with your results in 4-6 weeks.
How do I pay? You will be contacted in 2-3 weeks with a link to a secure pay-portal. This will enable you to pay by credit card if you did not enclose a check with your sample submission. Checks can be made out to Cornell University.
How do I know that my samples arrived safely? You will not automatically receive a confirmation that we received your samples, however if you wish to email (soilhealth@cornell.edu) and ask to receive a confirmation we can let you know when they arrive.
