Soil sampling example

Here is a simple guide to taking soil samples.

In the image to the right is a paddock that we've highlight the areas to avoid such as the fences, gate, underneath the power lines, under the trees and around the trough. In the aerial photo you can also see dark green areas where animals have deposited manure or urine. These areas should also be avoided.

We've picked fence posts that we use as markers for walking the transects along which we take the soil samples.

This paddock is small at around 0.75 hectares. It has a uniform soil type, aspect, slope and has historically had the same management practices applied. As such the soil sampling can cover the entire paddock.

To sample the soil we use a soil corer.

These can be purchased from agricultural suppliers and make obtaining regular samples easy and accurate.

To collect your soil samples walk the transect stopping at intervals to take a sample.

Measure where 10 cm is to determine where to cut

Cut out the top 10 cm of the soil

Add the sample to a bucket

Collect at least 15 samples

Bag the entire sample in a ziplock bag

Squeeze air out of the bag and seal it

Ensure the ziplock bag is properly sealed and is airtight.

Removing air from the bag helps reduce microbial decomposition of organic matter which would otherwise increase nutrient availability of the sample and give a falsely higher result.

Label the bag with:

• Your name
• Date of sampling
• Paddock id
• Contents (soil 10 cm)
• Crop id 
• Test required (NT001)