Soil Samples - Part 2
The weather here is spring-like with warm temperatures and a strong south wind the last few days. The soil dried out enough to collect samples so that’s what I did today. We decided to sample only two areas this year. They’ll be the areas we work on first and manage most intensively. I divided a roughly one acre area into two rectangular collection zones, north and south. I collected about fifteen core samples with the auger in each zone, first the north, then the south, for a total of two completed soil samples ready to go to the extension office.
The only tools I needed were the soil collection auger, a clean plastic mixing bucket, plastic sandwich bags for the actual soil samples, and a marker for labeling the samples (photos posted). I started by using the auger to take a sample in a corner the north collection zone. I simply placed the bit end of the auger on the ground and applied pressure as I turned the auger into the soil like a drill. I kept applying pressure and turning until the top of the auger bit was just below the soil surface. I then removed the auger from the ground by continuing to turn in the same direction and lifting. The auger came out with the soil sample sticking in the grooves of the auger bit. I rubbed the soil off the auger and into the mixing bucket with my hands. I repeated this process in a zig-zag pattern until I had covered all of the north zone and had collected about fifteen core samples in the bucket. I thoroughly mixed all fifteen core samples and then put them in a labeled sandwich bag. Last, I cleaned any remaining soil from the mixing bucket and repeated the whole process on the south collection zone.
I had a great day being outside on our land and it was fun taking the samples. I’ll take them to the extension office tomorrow. This week I hope to write about getting some compost piles started and finding top soil and mulch for our raised beds. I also hope to get the CAD software installed and the site plan started. Peace. - Rick
The only tools I needed were the soil collection auger, a clean plastic mixing bucket, plastic sandwich bags for the actual soil samples, and a marker for labeling the samples (photos posted). I started by using the auger to take a sample in a corner the north collection zone. I simply placed the bit end of the auger on the ground and applied pressure as I turned the auger into the soil like a drill. I kept applying pressure and turning until the top of the auger bit was just below the soil surface. I then removed the auger from the ground by continuing to turn in the same direction and lifting. The auger came out with the soil sample sticking in the grooves of the auger bit. I rubbed the soil off the auger and into the mixing bucket with my hands. I repeated this process in a zig-zag pattern until I had covered all of the north zone and had collected about fifteen core samples in the bucket. I thoroughly mixed all fifteen core samples and then put them in a labeled sandwich bag. Last, I cleaned any remaining soil from the mixing bucket and repeated the whole process on the south collection zone.
I had a great day being outside on our land and it was fun taking the samples. I’ll take them to the extension office tomorrow. This week I hope to write about getting some compost piles started and finding top soil and mulch for our raised beds. I also hope to get the CAD software installed and the site plan started. Peace. - Rick
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