Master Gardener volunteer conducts a pH soil test on a soil sample
Image by Sandy Repp
Field crops, Yates County NY
Soil

Soil Testing

How to Take A Soil Sample

Visit our page on "How to take a soil sample" for testing and see what Soil Testing Services are offered by Cooperative Extension.

Soil Sample Forms:

Form A - Commercial Field Crops

Form A2 - Commercial Field Crops (Multiple Samples use with Form A)

Form F - Commercial Fruit, Hops & Christmas Trees

Form H - Lawn, Garden & Landscape

Form H2 - Lawn, Garden & Landscape (Multiple Samples use with Form H) 

Form T - Commercial Turf

Form V - Commercial Vegetables

Form V2 - Commercial Vegetables (Multiple Samples use with Form V)

CLICK HERE for Soil Map (Names & Symbols)

soil map

Soils

Soil Texture. This fact sheet discusses the four soil texture classifications of sands, silts, loams and clays; how they combine to make textural classifications; how soil texture is determined; and the 5 soil management groups in New York State.

Soil Organic Matter. This fact sheet describes types of organic matter in soil; their physical, chemical & biological benefits; farm practices that help maintain or increase soil organic matter levels; and the importance of continued monitoring of soil organic matter content.

The Cornell Soil Health website offers a variety of resources on soil testing and improvement.

Climate

Monthly Temperature Averages for Lowville, NY lists normal temperatures and precipitation averages.

Growing Degree Days (GDD) are a measure of heat accumulation used by horticulturalists to predict the date that a flower will bloom or a crop reach maturity. Statistics for the Northeast are provided on this Cornell Atmospheric Sciences & Turf Team website.

Cornell Gardening page with information on average dates for last spring frost and first fall frost, US hardiness zone map, and microclimates.

Contact

Mike Hunter
Field Crops Educator
meh27@cornell.edu
(315) 376-5270

Last updated January 12, 2024