Media Testing

UNH Cooperative Extension offers soil testing for Commercial Greenhouse and Nursery Container Grown Crops.

Samples are analyzed for pH, nitrate-nitrogen, soluble salts, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc using the saturated media extract method with DTPA. The cost is $30 per sample.

Sampling Directions

Establish a regular schedule for taking media samples to determine what may be needed before you plant and to check on the effectiveness of your fertilization management during the growth of the crop. Treat each bench, bed, collection of containers, or area as a separate sample. If a prepared potting soil is submitted, be sure it is well mixed before sampling. Take the sample when the soil is moderately dry, and not immediately after watering. Avoid taking soil samples immediately after applying fertilizer. It is advisable to remove the top 1/2 inch of media, especially if dry fertilizer manure, or mulch has been applied. It is best to designate one person to take media samples to minimize error and maintain consistency. Take about ten individual cores or thin slices at random from the entire bench, bed, collection of containers, or area to be sampled. Never take media from must one location or from one pot and assume that it is representative of the media as a whole. Place the cores in a clean container and mix well. About 2 cups of the composite sample is required for running the tests.

To create, and download the submittal form for printing click here.