Record the depth of sampling

Don't mix topsoil (darker surface layer) with the underlying subsoil in the one sample.

If deeper sampling is needed keep different soil layers separate from each other.

Samples are best taken using a soil auger but a spade or trowel can be used to take samples when neither a core sampler nor an auger is available. Dig a hole to the required depth and sample a 10mm thick slice from the side.

Try to restrict damage and compaction to the soil sample during collection and delivery.

Turfed areas : samples should normally be taken from the top 100mm of the soil.

Shrub or tree beds : samples should normally be taken from the top 200mm. Note that back-fill in tree pits may differ from in-situ soil.

In-situ soils to be stripped: full depth of topsoil (usually 200-300mm deep).

Stockpiled material : 1 composite soil sample should be taken from approximately each 1,000m³. Sample from the full depth of the heap as well as the surface.

One sample may represent up to 1 hectare of land provided that there is no mark ed change in soil type (colour, texture, stoniness, consistency) or change in management.

At least 10, but preferably 20, cores (sub-samples) should be taken, well mixed and sub-divided by quartering to provide a composite sample of not less that 1kg (2kg for particularly stony soils). The sample should be placed in a clean polythene bag.

Don't skimp on the number of cores. After all, one hectare of land is equivalent to about 1300 tonnes of soil per 10cm depth. Your sample may be only one-thousand-millionth at that!

Soils vary greatly so the first thing to do is to divide the area up into reasonably uniform sections.

Position on slope, type of vegetation, plant vigour, soil texture, drainage status or soil colour should be used to divide the sampling area up into different sections.

Areas that have been managed, limed, or fertilised differently should also be sampled separately.

Soils of different types should never be mixed to form a composite sample.

Separate samples should be taken in areas that have been, or are intended to be, used for different end-uses or planting schemes.

Cores should be taken at regular intervals along a series of zigzag lines covering the area under investigation.

Avoid ground near gateways, hedges, paths, waterlogged areas and places used to stack lime or fertilisers.

Sampling should not be taken after recent fertiliser applications or heavy rain.

If residues of slow release fertilisers are present, they may give falsely high values for soil nutrient content. Remove granules of coated fertilisers before sending the sample to the laboratory where possible.

Don't sample in small areas of soil that are obviously very different from the general area being sampled.

Don't drop cigarette ash onto samples, allow dust to blow onto them, or allow dogs or cats to use them as toilets. Don't laugh, it has happened!

When sampling, stones should be included as these form part of the soil. An analysis would be incomplete without knowledge of the soils stone content.