Soil analysis
Full description
Most wild flowers do not like very fertile soil. So it is helpful to know just what sort of soil you have before you start on a project, as this will influence both your choice of species and the management of the site.
Recommendations as to the most appropriate species for your soil will be included with the analysis results.
Send us a sample of your soil for analysis.
The best way to take a representative sample of soil for testing is to walk the shape of a 'W' across your site. The sampling path should avoid all areas which are not representative of the area as a whole, such as headlands, hedges, footpaths, lime or manure dumps, etc. At each point of the 'W' take a trowel full of soil from about 10cm depth, mix the 5 lots together and then send us no more than 500g in weight. Be sure to label it.
The bulking of samples will not allow identification of problems associated with patches, e.g. acid patches, so sample these areas separately, if necessary. The results will take 2-3 weeks from receipt of your soil sample.
Please also include some background information on what you wish to achieve, and the size of the area, whether it is sunny or in shade, and other relevant information.
The results will give you the texture (e.g. clay loam), the pH (e.g. 7.8 = alkaline) and the Nitrogen and Phosphorus content.
If you wish to have a particle size test carried out by machine so that you know the exact percentage of each component of the soil (e.g. clay 30%, sand 25%, silt 45%) then this will cost an additional £24. Please choose the payment by cheque option and send it with your soil sample.
Please note that you will need to put the appropriate postage stamps on the envelope when you send the soil sample to us. Thanks.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us or telephone 01444 413376 to discuss it.