Soil Sampling & Testing

Guidance on how to collect representative soil samples and interpret lab results for soil nutrients and other properties. Accurate sampling and testing are essential for making informed fertility and soil management decisions. Click on the links below for more information. 

• How to Do Soil Sampling
• Planning Soil Sampling Planning Worksheet
• Soil Sampling (general)
• Soil Sampling in Orchards & Vineyards
• Soil Fertility Test Interpretation 
• Soil Nutrient Management for Olives Archived
• Selected Plant and Soil Laboratories in Northern and Central California
  • Click "Services Provided," at the top of the page to see lab testing capabilities. 

Soil Health 

Practices and resources that improve soil physical , chemical, and biological function. Maintaining healthy soils supports long-term crop productivity, resilience, and efficient input use. Click on the links below for more information. 

• CA Crop Fertilization Guidelines - CDFA
• Cover Crop Selection Tool - Western Cover Crop Council
• Soil & Nutrient Management - UCCE Sonoma Specialty Crops Program Resources

Soil Mapping and Tools

Tools for understanding soil properties, variability, and spatial patterns across a site. These resources help guide management decisions such as tillage, irrigation, fertilization, and crop selection based on soil properties. Click on the links below for more information. 

• Web Soil Survey - NRCS
• UC Soil Web
• Soil moisture by feel - NRCS
• Soil texture by feel - NRCS