Procedure
Field Materials:
Tree Guides (Optional)
1 Tape Measure
1 Mallet
1 Trowel
1 Marker
Box of Soil Sample Bags/ Ziploc Bags(Quart Size)
Data sheet
Smart phone or tablet (optional; useful for finding location)
Field Work Procedure
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First, pick a tree you would like to test.
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Once you pick a tree, identify what kind of tree it is by looking at the leaves and bark. Use a tree identifying book for help.
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Record the condition of the tree as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor by looking at the Tree Conditon Guide from Purdue University
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Next, record the circumference of the tree at breast height with measuring tape.
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Now, record the temperature of the air and the soil using a thermometer or a weather app. (Record it in Celsius)
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Use a Soil Core Sampler to collect your soil. First, push the Soil Core Sampler into a soft part of the ground about .5 meters away from the trunk of the tree. Push the Sampler as far into the ground as possible. If you encounter many roots or an impenetrable surface move the Sampler to another spot. Once you’ve pushed the Sampler in as far as possible, use the Mallet to push the Sampler further into the ground. Take it out once it has been filled at least ¾ of the way.
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Put the soil into a soil bag. Make sure to label your bag with the date, location, and field number.
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Record all of your observations on your collection sheet.
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Repeat process for all desired trees.
Lab Materials:
Non-Digital Soil Kit or Digital Soil Kit
1 Gallon of Distilled Water
Jars (# Depends on Sample Size)
Plastic Cups (# Depends on Sample Size)
Ruler
Calculator
Timer
Lab-Analysis Procedure
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After you come inside you want to gather your soil sample bags together. Add a bag of soil to the soil sifter and shake it until all the rocks,and clumps are out of the soil.
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After you are done sifting the soil place the soil into a can sized jar.
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Repeat this step for all of the soil samples you have collected.
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Once you put the soil into the jar you are ready to prepare the soil for the testing of the pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
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To do the soil test for pH get the same tube from the soil kit and fill it to the first line with soil, pour one green capsule into the tube, then fill it to the fourth line with distilled water.
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Put the cap on the tub and shake until the soil dissolves and then wait two minutes.
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After the two minutes are done, place the tube into the Digital Soil Tester and wait for the results and then record.
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Repeat steps 4-7 to find the pH for all of your soil samples.
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Next, you will test the soil for levels of Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous.
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Have a cup labeled with the Field Number of each soil bag you will be testing.
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In each cup, put in one square of soil and 5 squares of water and let it sit for 24 hours.
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Next, you will be using the Digital Soil Testing Kit. First, empty the appropriate colored capsule into the tube. Then, fill the tube to the fourth line with the soil water from the cups (do not put any of the soil into the tube). Next, shake thoroughly.
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Let the tube sit for 10 minutes then place it into the Digital Soil Tester and record the results.
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Repeat these steps for Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous using the different colored capsules for all of your samples.
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After you are done doing the pH, Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous testing make sure you don't throw out the leftover soil that you sifted because that soil will be used for the soil texture.
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Grab a jar and dump soil out into a bag until only one-fourth of the soil remains.
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Then fill the jar with three-fourths of distilled water.
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Add a teaspoon of non-foaming dish soap, and shake for five minutes.
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Let the jar sit for two days if you want the best results for seeing clear and defined layers of sand, silt, and clay.
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To derive the percentages of sand, silt, and clay in the sample, I measure the amount of each layer and divide by the amount of total sample.
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Once I've derived the percentage of each particle, I transfer my results to the soil texture triangle to determine my soil type.
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Record results, and then repeat steps 15-21 to find the soil texture for all of your soil.
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Once you are finished you can dump your “waste” bag of soil outside.
This image shows the soil two days after performing the jar method to find the soil texture.