Soil nutrient testing

Last updated on June 26, 2024

Regular soil nutrient sampling and analysis is a central part of nutrient management planning and monitoring. Soil sampling can inform the right rate of nutrients for optimal growth and yield and provide a check on the efficiency of nutrient use.

There are several steps involved in getting an accurate sample and turning it into a useful fertility recommendation.

1.  Take the samples

How and when a soil sample is collected matters.  What you can interpret from the results will depend on the way a sample is collected.  Generally, pre-plant, post harvest, or troubleshooting are the main sampling strategies to consider. 

If your sample needs to provide a post-harvest nitrate test in order to determine the amount of nitrate in the soil after crop harvest, follow the specific guidance provided for post-harvest nitrate testing.

2. Have the soil samples analyzed

Once soil sampling has been completed, it should be sent to a soil testing laboratory for analysis. Laboratories will use different soil extractants, solutions designed to remove nutrients from soil for analysis, so be sure to record which one is used.

3. Interpret the results

Soil test results provide a snapshot of the nutrient status in the soil at the time of sampling.  To interpret a report, how and when the sample was taken, as well as the type of lab analysis should be considered.

Other resources available to interpret test results include:

Sampling tools
Soil probe

Soil testing starts with good sampling.

Looking for a soil lab?
New soil testing requirements

If agricultural operations with a land base of 2 hectares or more apply nutrient sources to land, post-harvest nitrate and soil test phosphorus results from within the last 3 years should be used to inform nutrient application rates. Details on the new soil testing requirements can be found here.

Contact information

AgriService BC

Have a question?  Call or email and a staff person will assist you.

Telephone: 1 888 221-7141

E-mail: AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca