Collecting and Sending Soil Samples For Analysis

Jo Tobias
5720 Clarendon Street Vancouver BC V5R 3K3

604 340 9280
jo@rootshootdesign.com
Collecting Samples for Analysis
*** Please call before sending a sample. This gives the technicians time to complete
the testing. ***
Send your soil samples to:

Jo Tobias
c/o RootShoot
5720 Clarendon Street
Vancouver BC
V5R 3K3
Please note the following:

• It is best to take soil samples in the fall or spring. Most soil organisms are dormant when
soil temperature is less than 4° C.
• Ship samples overnight in the summer.
• Please do not mail samples on a Friday. If possible, take the samples on the same day
you send them.
• Only send 1 cup of material per sample, more is not necessary.
• We only need a sample from the top 2.5 - 7.5 cm (1-3 inches) of soil.
Supplies needed:
• An apple corer or any tool that can pull out 2.5 cm (1 in) diameter of soil and can go down
at least 7.5 cm (3 in) deep.
• Resealable sandwich bag
** If you are unsure on how to take soil samples, please call 604.340.9280 and we will walk
you through any questions you may have. **
Page 1 of 6
Jo Tobias
604 340 9280
Detailed Instructions for Sampling
Steps for collecting samples:

1. Select the area to take a sample from.
2. When dealing with larger areas, consider topography.
- Refer to Topography-based section for further instructions.
3. When dealing with specific plants
- Refer to Plant-based section for further instructions
4. The best place to take samples from is near the plant’s rootzone.
5. For larger shrubs and trees, follow the instructions below while referring to the diagrams in
the Plant-based section:
a. Find a spot halfway between the stem and dripline of the plant. Refer to X on the
diagrams
b. Push the apple corer 7.5 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in) down into the soil
c. Place the soil into your resealable sandwich bag.
d. Repeat steps a-c. The number of spots to collect from will vary depending on the
size of the plant. The larger the plant, the more spots will be collected from the area.
e. Find a spot halfway between the stem/trunk and one of the spots collected in step
“a”. Refer to R on the diagrams.
f. Repeat step “e”. The number of spots to collect from will vary depending on the
size of the plant. The larger the plant, the more spots will be collected from the area.
6. After collecting, seal the sandwich bag without letting the air out of the bag.
7. Label the bag(s) with your own Sample ID using indelible ink (refer to Labelling your
samples section) and place into an envelope for mailing.
8. If possible, send your samples on the same day they are collected. It is ideal that samples
are received by our lab within three days after collection.
9. If you have a liquid sample, place your sample in a plastic water bottle about 1/8 full and
then ship it overnight so it arrives before noon the next day.
** If you are unsure of how to take soil samples, please call 604.340.9280 and we will walk you
through any questions you may have. **
Page 2 of 6
Jo Tobias
604 340 9280
1. Topography-based
When dealing with larger areas, consider topography.
i. A large area can be split into habitat zones. For instance,
• Wet • Woodland
• Rocky • Pasture
• Ridgeline • Weed patch
ii. Grid each habitat zone
1 2 3
1 2 3 4 5 6
4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12
7 8 9
13 14 15 16 17 18
10 11 12
19 20 21 22 23 24 13 14 15
25 26 27 29 30 31 16 17 18
Figure 1a: Habitat example. Figure 1b: Habitat example.
Grid numbers are hyphothetical Grid numbers are hyphothetical
iii. Pick at least 5 - 15 random spots from the gridded habitat zone depending
on the size of the landscape.
iv. Collect soil from each random spot, combine into a bag and mix thoroughly
v. Sampling in larger areas can also be refined by following the Plant-based
section
Page 3 of 6
Jo Tobias
604 340 9280
2. Plant-based
This type of sampling is useful when concerned about a particular type of plant.
i. The bigger the area or the larger the plant, the more spots should be collected from.
ii. When dealing with a row of plants, follow the guidelines for Topography-based
sampling.
X Halfway between dripline of the plant R Near the rootzone

and trunk/stem
D Dripline
dripline
x R
D x R R x D
D R x D
Figure A2: Side view of tree

Figure A1: Side view of tree
D D
x
x R R
x
D x R R x D
dripline
R R
x x
x
D D
D
Figure B: Bird’s eye view of a tree
Page 4 of 6
Jo Tobias
604 340 9280

Labelling your samples:
1. Label each sample bag with your own Sample ID using indelible ink.
2. Print off Page 6 (Sample Label and Contact Information) of this instruction document.
3. Reference your own Sample ID and include the rest of the information about your samples.
4. Fill out the section, Contact Information in Page 6
5. Include Page 6 with your sample to send in mail.
What the soil analysis includes:
• Qualitative assessment of soil, compost, compost tea or extract

• Total bacteria (including actinobacteria)
• Total fungi
• Total protozoa: flagellates, amoeba, ciliates
• Total nematodes: bacterial-, fungal-, root-feeders and predatory
• Short interpretation of the results
• Brief recommendations as needed
Price per sample: $90.00 + GST
*** Soil analysis results will be sent via email. A physical copy can be mailed upon request.***
Page 5 of 6
Jo Tobias
604 340 9280
Sample Label and Contact Information
Contact Information:
Address:
__________________________________________________________________________
Contact Name:
__________________________________________________________________________
Organization:
__________________________________________________________________________
City, Province:
__________________________________________________________________________
Postal Code:
__________________________________________________________________________
Phone:
__________________________________________________________________________
Email:
__________________________________________________________________________
Sample Information:
Sample ID: __________________ Sample Type (soil, compost, etc.): __________________
Plants Present: _______________________________________________________
Plants Desired: _______________________________________________________
Date Collected: __________________
Ambient temperature at the time sample was collected: _______________________
Other Notes: _________________________________________________________

Plants Present: _______________________________________________________
Plants Desired: _______________________________________________________
Date Collected: __________________
Other Notes: _________________________________________________________

Plants Present: _______________________________________________________
Plants Desired: _______________________________________________________
Date Collected: __________________
Other Notes: _________________________________________________________
Page 6 of 6

Collecting and Sending Soil Samples For Analysis

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Jo Tobias

5720 Clarendon Street Vancouver BC V5R 3K3

Collecting Samples for Analysis

Send your soil samples to:

Please note the following:

Detailed Instructions for Sampling

Steps for collecting samples:

Collecting Samples for Analysis

Collecting Samples for Analysis

X Halfway between dripline of the plant R Near the rootzone

Figure A2: Side view of tree

Collecting Samples for Analysis

What the soil analysis includes:

• Qualitative assessment of soil, compost, compost tea or extract

Price per sample: $90.00 + GST

Sample Label and Contact Information

Sample ID: Sample Type (soil, compost, etc.):

Sample ID: Sample Type (soil, compost, etc.):

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