How do I get a soil test and read the results?Updated an hour ago

Order the BuildASoil Complete Soil Test, send your sample to Logan Labs, then drop the PDF report into our free interpretation tool. It reads your numbers and gives you an amendment plan sized to your container.

1. Order the test

The BuildASoil Complete Soil Test includes the Mehlich 3, the extras panel, the saturated paste, and the AA 8.2. Prepaid postage to the lab is included and the submission form comes already filled out. Your instructions, label and form arrive in a separate email from your order confirmation, so check your spam folder if you do not see them.

2. Take the sample

• Pull about two cups of soil from several spots in the bed or container.
• Bag it with the submission form.
• Mail it within a day or two of pulling it. If it has to wait longer, spread it out to dry first.

3. Read the results

Open the free soil test interpretation tool and drop in your Logan Labs PDF. It corrects your calcium using the AA 8.2, recalculates exchange capacity and base saturation, grades the soil, and sizes amendments to your container. No account needed, and your file never leaves your browser.

The tool works on any Logan Labs report. A saturated paste on its own gets you a mid-round read and feeding guidance instead of a full amendment plan.

Free guides

Our soil test guides cover how to sample, how to read each line of the report, our target ranges for living soil, what corrects what, and conversions from grams to cups.

Want a person to read it instead? Written interpretations are sold separately on the soil test package page.