Knowing the pH and nutrient content of your soil is important to successful growing.
Soil Testing
Why Test Soil?
A soil test will tell you what nutrients are in your soil and what you may need to add (in the form of fertilizer) for successful crop growth. Plants need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (macronutrients) as well as micronutrients to grow. Deficiency or excess of these elements will impact the health and productivity of crops. In addition, the pH (acid/alkaline level) of your soil has an impact upon how much of your soil's nutrients your plants will be able to use. CCEDC can provide or arrange several different tests for your soil and can help you to interpret the results and choose an appropriate course of action if necessary.
For Home Gardeners:
Home Gardeners (Non-commercial) can receive assistance with the test results through our Master Gardener Volunteers during lab hours.
Soil Test Kits (Complete Soil Nutrient Analysis):
We provide the test kits for Soil Fertility – Soil pH and nutrient availability (with recommendations) through Rutgers University.
The cost for fertility analysis (includes pH & nutrients) is $25.00 per sample. CASH OR CHECK ONLY
You can pick up the soil kit at our office and mail it yourself with your choice of mailing courier.
Kits can be picked up M - F from 9 am - 4 pm at the Dutchess County Farm & Home Center.
Kits Include:
- The Sampling Instructions provide all details about taking the soil samples and submitting them to the laboratory.
- A Soil Test Questionnaire needs to be filled out and sent in with each sample.
- Bag for soil sample and a mailing envelope.
- Home and Landscape - Soil Test Questionnaire (351k PDF)
- Home and Landscape - Soil Sampling Instructions (213k PDF)
For Commercial Growers and Farmers:
Commercial and Farm producers can receive assistance through Agricultural Program Educators.
Full soil testing is conducted by Dairy One Lab in Ithaca.
The cost is $30.00 per soil sample. CASH OR CHECK ONLY
You can pick up the soil kit at our office and mail it yourself with your choice of mailing courier.
Kits can be picked up M - F from 9 am - 4 pm at the Dutchess County Farm & Home Center.
Click below for submission forms:
- Commercial Field Corp A .PDF
- Commercial Vegetable Crops V. PDF
- Form F-Commercial Fruit, Hops, & Christmas Trees. PDF
- Form T-Commercial Turf. PDF
Please visit here Dairy One for testing instructions and other forms.
Last updated April 3, 2025