Soil Test Kits

Pick up a soil test kit from Colorado State University Extension Office anytime during normal office hours – Monday through Friday (8:00 am to Noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Closed daily from Noon to 1:00 pm). Take the kit home and collect soil then send it to our Fort Collins campus where a lab analyzes the soil.

Colorado State University Extension Office provides the soil test kits. Kits are free up to 3 per person, 3 or more -$5.00 each kit

Each kit includes:

• a collection container
• instructions
• mailing labels
• a list of the services available
• price list.

The cost of the soil test varies upon on type of analysis selected on request form and is paid to Ft. Collins.

The following analyses are available:

• Routine Garden and Landscape Soil Test
  • A basic evaluation for characterizing the soil fertility status. Provides report on: pH, EC (salts), organic matter, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, boron, lime and texture estimates
• Routine plus texture analysis by hydrometer
  • For an additional cost, the lab will include an accurate measure of the percent of sand, silt, and clay
• Routine plus C/N ration
  • C/N ratio helps determine the fertilizer N recommendation for soil that has had high rate of compost of manure applied to it
• Routine plus Sodium Evaluation (SAR)
  • Sodium Absorption Ration is the ration of sodium to calcium+magnesium
• Routine plus Chromium, Molybdenum, Cadmium, Lead
  • Near mining sites metals may be found at toxic levels in the soil
• Routine Manure, Compost and Potting Soil analyses

For additional soil test information please visit: http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu/