Welcome to the USI/ESAC Soil Lab!
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How to Contact the Soil Testing Lab:
soiltesting@usi.nyc. *Please note, we are mostly in the field. Please allow 2 days for a response. Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding!!!! Improvements are on the way!!!!!! And thank you for testing your soil with us! As you know, we are a small lab with limited resources and have been functioning with delays in reporting results to our customers for a while now. We want to THANK YOU all, for testing your soils with us, for your loyalty, and for your patience! The USI Lab is working very hard to improve our services for our customers; provide new soil testing menus and reliable turn-around by June 30th 2018.
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Soil Testing Submission instructions
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By requesting this service, the customer agrees that the data may be used for statistical analysis and research purposes. The customer's identity and address will be kept confidential.
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Follow These Steps to Get Your Soil Tested Please note the reporting time for each test as this varies with the seasons
Results will be e-mailed to you. Please see below for approximate response time.
SOIL TESTS for August 2018
Test Packages (fees are per sample and subject to change without notice)
Short Basic Soil Test — $25 Recommended for gardeners
Soil samples are tested for (1) pH, (2) salt content, (3) NPK levels using field kits, and (4) Lead, Arsenic, Copper, and Zinc (common "indicator" contaminants) screened by the XRF analyzer. Results available in 2-3 weeks.
Individual Tests
XRF Test — $10 Recommended for a screening for contamination
Lead, Arsenic, Copper, Zinc screening using XRF. For others, please request the metals you are interested in testing for. Results available within 2 weeks.
pH Test — $5
The pH is determined using a 1:1, V:V method. Results available within 2 weeks
Soil Class (Texture test) — $10
Soils are categorized according to USDA soil textural classifications. Results available within 2 weeks
Soluble Salts — $5
Total soluble salts is determined using a 1:2, V:V electrical conductivity method. Results available within 2 weeks.
NPK kits — $10
Rapitest N-P-K kits assign the levels of nutrients. Results available within 2 weeks.
Due to a transition period for building out better lab services, the following tests & packages are temporarily suspended until further notice. We will notify when these changes are complete.
Organic content — $10
The percent of organic matter (humus) in soil or compost is determined by the loss on ignition. Results available within 2 weeks.
Basic Soil Quality Test — $45 Recommended for gardeners
Soil samples are tested for (1) pH, (2) salt content, (3) soil class using jar test, (4) NPK levels using field kits, and (5) Lead, Arsenic, Copper, and Zinc (common "indicator" contaminants) screened by the XRF analyzer. (6) Organic Content. Results available in 2-3 weeks.
**NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE** If interested in contaminants, select the XRF test
Heavy Metal & pH Test (lead included) — $45 Recommended if suspicious of contamination beyond just lead.
Heavy metals test using wet digestion-ICP-MS method. Results available in four to six weeks.
**NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE**
Advanced Soil Quality Test ($80)* *Suggested for advanced agricultural applications needing specific nutrient data. Not recommended for common gardening**
Soil samples are analyzed for (1) total organic content, (2) nitrate, phosphate, ammonia contents, (3) potassium, calcium, magnesium and micro-nutrients with modified Morgan extraction method, (4) soil class using hydrometer method, and (5) heavy metals using wet digestion ICP-MS method (6) pH. Results available in four to six weeks.
**NOT ACTIVELY TESTING-PLEASE EMAIL FIRST BEFORE SUBMITTING A SAMPLE**
Tissue Analysis: Heavy Metals in Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Eggs
Five toxic metals (Pb, Cr, As, Cd and Ni) are analyzed for plant tissue samples with microwave-assisted acid digestion ICP-MS method. Please note that these samples cannot be sent through mail (i.e., must be dropped off in person). Results available in two to four weeks.
Please note the results turnaround time are delayed
CONTACT: soiltesting@usi.nyc
Resources:
Understanding Heavy Metals in My Soil
USDA NRCS Soil Quality Test Kit
NY State Department of Health Certified Testing Labs for Other Hazardous Contaminants
Follow These Steps to Get Your Soil Tested Please note the reporting time for each test as this varies with the seasons
- Collect soil samples following Sampling Instructions.
- Download and complete the Submission Form for each sample. Please print your email clearly-that is how we submit your results. Clearly label each sample bag in your package so that they match the respective submission forms. Each sample requires a separate submission form (1 sample per submission form). Calculate the payment amount and indicate method of payment.
- Print the completed submission form(s) and place in a package with the soil sample(s), along with a check or money order made out to NYC Soil & Water Conservation District, or you can pay via paypal button above.
- Mailing address (temporary) USI, 582 Route 524, Allenwtown, NJ 08501
- Email us with any questions soiltesting@usi.nyc
Results will be e-mailed to you. Please see below for approximate response time.
SOIL TESTS for August 2018
Test Packages (fees are per sample and subject to change without notice)
Short Basic Soil Test — $25 Recommended for gardeners
Soil samples are tested for (1) pH, (2) salt content, (3) NPK levels using field kits, and (4) Lead, Arsenic, Copper, and Zinc (common "indicator" contaminants) screened by the XRF analyzer. Results available in 2-3 weeks.
Individual Tests
XRF Test — $10 Recommended for a screening for contamination
Lead, Arsenic, Copper, Zinc screening using XRF. For others, please request the metals you are interested in testing for. Results available within 2 weeks.
pH Test — $5
The pH is determined using a 1:1, V:V method. Results available within 2 weeks
Soil Class (Texture test) — $10
Soils are categorized according to USDA soil textural classifications. Results available within 2 weeks
Soluble Salts — $5
Total soluble salts is determined using a 1:2, V:V electrical conductivity method. Results available within 2 weeks.
NPK kits — $10
Rapitest N-P-K kits assign the levels of nutrients. Results available within 2 weeks.
Due to a transition period for building out better lab services, the following tests & packages are temporarily suspended until further notice. We will notify when these changes are complete.
Organic content — $10
The percent of organic matter (humus) in soil or compost is determined by the loss on ignition. Results available within 2 weeks.
Basic Soil Quality Test — $45 Recommended for gardeners
Soil samples are tested for (1) pH, (2) salt content, (3) soil class using jar test, (4) NPK levels using field kits, and (5) Lead, Arsenic, Copper, and Zinc (common "indicator" contaminants) screened by the XRF analyzer. (6) Organic Content. Results available in 2-3 weeks.
**NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE** If interested in contaminants, select the XRF test
Heavy Metal & pH Test (lead included) — $45 Recommended if suspicious of contamination beyond just lead.
Heavy metals test using wet digestion-ICP-MS method. Results available in four to six weeks.
**NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE**
Advanced Soil Quality Test ($80)* *Suggested for advanced agricultural applications needing specific nutrient data. Not recommended for common gardening**
Soil samples are analyzed for (1) total organic content, (2) nitrate, phosphate, ammonia contents, (3) potassium, calcium, magnesium and micro-nutrients with modified Morgan extraction method, (4) soil class using hydrometer method, and (5) heavy metals using wet digestion ICP-MS method (6) pH. Results available in four to six weeks.
**NOT ACTIVELY TESTING-PLEASE EMAIL FIRST BEFORE SUBMITTING A SAMPLE**
Tissue Analysis: Heavy Metals in Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Eggs
Five toxic metals (Pb, Cr, As, Cd and Ni) are analyzed for plant tissue samples with microwave-assisted acid digestion ICP-MS method. Please note that these samples cannot be sent through mail (i.e., must be dropped off in person). Results available in two to four weeks.
Please note the results turnaround time are delayed
CONTACT: soiltesting@usi.nyc
Resources:
Understanding Heavy Metals in My Soil
USDA NRCS Soil Quality Test Kit
NY State Department of Health Certified Testing Labs for Other Hazardous Contaminants