Fastest way to have soil testing done

[Zhunter]

As you may have heard, I am starting my first food plots ever this mid-August. I have decided to get the sample packs from Whitetail Institute and plot 3-4 living-room size areas.

I keep hearing that fertilizer (or lime, I forget) is something that you should not skip to save money on. Also, I hear that soil testing is VERY crucial to assure you don't use too much or too little fertilizer (or lime, I forget).

What is the fastest way to have soil testing done? Where can I send the soil to get tested?

Thanks!

Z

[Bowhunters]

If you bought a soil test kit from the 'Whitetail Institute' i'm pretty sure that includes getting the test done, you put a quantity of soil in the bag and mail it in and within a couple weeks or so you get a response on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, somewhere in the middle between those two is the best. If the soil is extreemly acid you need to add lime.

Some guys here are lucky and have good soil and have decent plots without doing a soil sample or needing to add lime but all the companies that sell plot mixtures like the 'whitetail institute' recommend having a soil sample done just to make sure the soil is good and thats because if the soil needs lime badly it can make a difference in how well the plot seed grows and even how it withstands drought, etc .

I would suggest if a person is going to get their soil tested and if they plan to put out several 'room' sized plots to take a sample of soil from all the plot sites and then mix them all together for one average sample, that will reduce the costs of getting the one sample tested over the cost of all the plot sites being tested and the one average should still be fairly accurate for all the plot sites.

Some other places besides the Whitetail Institute that do soil testing would be to see if any local farmer Co-op stores or a local state agriculture offices that will do the test for you at a nominal fee.

If you test and you need to lime you want to till it into the dirt prior to planting would be a good time.

The directions with the seed should also say what fertilizer is needed or recommended.