It’s a good idea to have a very clear question in mind when you think about having an analysis done, and what to sample. What exactly is it that you want to learn, and how do we answer this within your budget?
I would like to reduce chemical inputs and convert to a biological approach. What is my soil food web baseline? (i.e, which micro-organisms are “home” in my soil, and what functions can I expect from them?)
I am growing an entire field of (insert crop name). Why are some plants thriving and others are looking sick? Why are my yields reducing over time?
I would like to grow (insert crop name). Is the soil food web suitable for it to thrive?
My friend grows beautiful (insert crop name) but mine just don’t seem to do as well. Why?
What is going on in the bare/weedy patches in my otherwise healthy field?
I have applied (insert name of amendment/input/growing strategy). How has this affected the existing soil food web community?
I am having a problem with (insert pest name). What is the state of the soil food web where the affected plants are growing?
What is the state of the soil food web in this bare field/bare garden bed? To what plants would it be suited?
I am curious about an area with apparently different growing conditions. What would grow best in each of these areas?
This area, either recently or in the past, suffered (insert event). How has this affected the soil food web present, and what can I grow here?
You will receive a report detailing total bacteria biomass, total fungal biomass, ratio of fungi to bacteria, total numbers of protozoa and total numbers of nematodes. It will be very clear which organisms are beneficial to plant growth, and which could be detrimental.
These numbers will be compared to known numbers for the plant that you wish to grow, in order for it to thrive. You can grow plants without optimal biology, but they won’t be at their peak health and nutrition. Which is the goal, right?! The key is diversity and the fungal to bacterial ratio. This can indicate whether your soil conditions are currently selecting for weeds, for your desired plant, or for something completely different. Once you have this information to hand, you can plan your course of action. If you want to know whether your strategy was effective, you can choose to test again, or hone your skills at observing other factors that might indicate the soil is moving in the desired direction.
Phone or email ahead to discuss your goals, receive your sampling instructions, and set a mutually beneficial sample drop-off or mail-in timeframe. Samples must be analysed within 24 hours of being received.
Following the provided instructions, collect your sample as close as possible to the agreed drop-off time.
Leave your sample and payment (see pricing info below) in the drop-off box (e-transfer or cheque is preferred, no change is available)
Await your report and set up a time to discuss the results.
PER SAMPLE
PER SAMPLE when 5 or more are completed within a single growing season.
If your growing situation is complex and more suited to a site visit than a telephone call to discuss sampling, or if you would like me to come and do the sampling for you, the current rate for travel and site visits is $50/hour.
