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Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

Integrating research and outreach education from UMass Amherst

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    • Turf
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  • Services
    • Services Overview
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    • Plant Diagnostics Laboratory
    • Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory
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    • Environmental Analysis Laboratory
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  • News & Events
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Ordering Information & Forms

Routine Soil Analysis - Order Form for Home Grounds and Gardening To submit a sample to the lab, download the appropriate form and follow the sample collection guidelines provided. Complete the submission form and either mail or hand deliver to the lab.  For help in deciding which test you want.

Before you order, please check our Turn-Around Time page to see what our current processing times are. Please also note that in busy seasons, the turn-around for your order may be longer than the turn-around times we are reporting at the time you place your order. We recommend that many customers get in the habit of testing in the late fall (annual crops, for planning spring amendments) or summer (turf, for planning early fall and early spring amendments) so that delays in processing can be avoided but results are still available when needed.

The fees on all order forms are per sample.  Payment must accompany sample(s) submitted with checks or money order made payable to University of Massachusetts.

Please read Sampling Instructions for Routine Soil Analysis for detailed instructions on collecting a soil sample before collecting your sample.

One cup of dry soil per sample is needed for Routine Soil Analysis. 

Note: When submission forms are opened with Adobe Reader or Acrobat, information may be typed in on the screen, then printed and sent to the lab.

The UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab does not test for herbicides, pesticides, or contaminants other than the heavy metals listed on our Services page.

Attention UMass personnel: Recharge order forms that use a speedtype for electronic payment may be found here.

Soil Forms

The Routine Soil Analysis is not intended for greenhouse planting mixes or organic soils containing more than 20% organic matter.  The Modified Morgan extraction method and recommendations were developed for New England soils and climate.

Routine Soil Analysis - Order Form for Home Grounds and Gardening | Análisis del Suelo de Rutina – Zonas Verdes y Huertas de Viviendas

Routine Soil Analysis - Order Form for Turf, Ornamentals and Landscaping

Routine Soil Analysis - Order Form for Commercial Vegetables and Fruits

Routine Soil Analysis - Order Form for Forage and Grain Crops

Routine Soil Analysis - Use this form when submitting more than six samples and attach to appropriate order form.

Order Form for Prepaid Soil Test Kits

Order Form for Soil Test Gift Kits (NEW for 2023 holiday season! More info.)

Note: If you are trying to diagnose a problem with your Routine Soil Analysis, it's a good idea to add on the optional testing (Organic Matter, Soluble Salts, and Nitrates).  This information can be used to define the problem, and come up with solutions for improving conditions.

Particle Size Analysis Forms

Soil Texture - Order Form for Particle Size Analysis

Total Sorbed Metals Test Forms

The Total Sorbed Metals Test is intended for soil and other planting media.  This method may not be appropriate for woody material, such as bark mulches.  It is not intended for food.

Order Form for Total Sorbed Metals Test

Note: Selenium analysis is not currently available, so please do not check the Selenium box or pay the add-on fee.

Pre-sidedress Soil Nitrate Test Forms

Order Form for Pre-sidedress Soil Nitrate Test

**Note: To ensure the timely turnaround of your Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test, soils should be dropped off at the Soil Lab Office, Room 203 Paige Laboratory.  If you cannot make the trip to the lab, please send your order via UPS or FedEx, and email us at soiltest[at]umass[dot]edu, and let us know when to expect your package.  Please do not send via regular mail.  Thank you!

Soilless Greenhouse Media Forms

Order Form for Greenhouse Media; Saturated Media Extract

Plant Tissue Nutrient Analysis Forms 

This service has been restored effective March 2025. At this time, please email the lab directly for instructions soiltest[at]umass[dot]edu (soiltest[at]umass[dot]edu)

Carbon and Nitrogen Analysis

Effective March 2025, carbon and nitrogen analysis has been restored for plants and soil. For soil, we are offering organic and inorganic carbon fractionation upon request. At this time, please email the lab directly for instructions at soiltest[at]umass[dot]edu (soiltest[at]umass[dot]edu)

***All sample test results are confidential ***

 

For insect and disease diagnosis, please visit the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab.

 

Updated 3/28/2025

 

Services

  • Services Overview
  • Pesticide Education
  • Plant Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory
    • Lab Services
    • Contact and Lab Hours
    • Ordering Information & Forms
      • Overview and Order Forms
      • Soil Test Gift Kit
      • Turnaround Time for Routine Soil Analysis
      • Payment Policy
      • Recharge Order Forms
      • Which test do I need?
    • Fact Sheets
      • Sampling Instructions for Routine Soil Analysis
      • Master Crop Code List for Routine Soil Testing
    • Lab Proficiency
    • Recommended Soil Testing Procedures
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Directions and Parking
    • Make a Gift to the UMass Soil Testing Lab
  • Hot Water Seed Treatment
  • Environmental Analysis Laboratory

Home Lawn & Garden Information »

Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

 

Stockbridge Hall,
80 Campus Center Way
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003-9246
Phone: (413) 545-4800
Fax: (413) 545-6555
ag [at] cns [dot] umass [dot] edu (ag[at]cns[dot]umass[dot]edu)

 

Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination Information

College of Natural Sciences

Login for faculty and staff

CAFE Units

Mass. Agricultural Experiment Station

UMass Extension

UMass Research and Education Center Farms

UMass Cranberry Station

Water Resources Research Center

Interest Areas

Agriculture

Commercial Horticulture

Energy

Environmental Conservation

Food Science

Nutrition

Water

Youth Development & 4-H

Services

Pesticide Education

Plant Diagnostics Laboratory

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory

Hot Water Seed Treatment

Water Testing / Environmental Analysis Laboratory

Projects

Conservation Assessment Prioritization System (CAPS)

Extension Risk Management/Crop Insurance Education

Mass. Envirothon

Mass. Herp Atlas

Mass. Keystone

MassWoods

North American Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative

RiverSmart

UMass Design Center in Springfield

Resources

Extension Sales Portal

Agriculture & Commercial Horticulture Resources

Community & Economic Vitality

Disaster Preparedness

Food Safety

Home Lawn & Garden

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Land Conservation Tools

Pollinators

Tick testing

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Extension Programs

4-H Youth Development

Agriculture

Crops, Dairy, Livestock and Equine

Fruit

Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture

Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry

Pesticide Education

Turf

Vegetable

Clean Energy

Climate Change

Food Science

Nutrition Education

Value-Added Food

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