Looking for Soil Testing Company Recommendations

hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA

13 years ago

I'd like to have my soil tested and would like some recommendations for companies in California that other forum members have used. I'm hoping to find a company that does a good job, but doesn't charge an arm or a leg. Not looking to get a Google search link (I can do that myself), but actually looking for a company someone has used and felt their service and prices were good. I tried contacting my local MG's to see if they could give me a recommendation, but there stated they didn't have any recommendations (this is rather shocking in my mind, as I'm a MG from Indiana, and we always had recommendations for soil testing companies). So, anyone use a good California soil testing company they can recommend?

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Richard Emery

9 years ago

Wallace labs in Los Angeles, does soil composition testing and fertilizer recommendations but no pathogens. Plant and Soil laboratories (could be soil and Plant Laboratories) in Santa Ana (area????) does soil comp and pathogens (like phytophora, armilaria etc.) neither are cheap but both are the established experts in their portions of the field. cheap testing won't get you the results you need or will provide you with a specific recommendation based on the labs sales affiliates (gro power does inexpensive soil testing but it only comes back with gro power fertilizers recommended)

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Comments (11)

jordanz
13 years ago
I would also be interesting in getting my grass soil tested...listening.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
I have used Perry Laboratory 424 Airport Blvd. Watsonville Ca. 831 722 7306 twice. Once for our property here in the Napa Valley and again for our Klamath Falls Oregon property. We were pleased with the service, advice and the cost. Al
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hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Al. I'll check them out, appreciate the info!

Patty S.
jordanz
13 years ago
Perry Laboratory looks kind of pricey. I thought I'd read on here that people get soil testing done for under $20 bucks? Is that not possible?
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
My reports were from over ten years ago. They included four pages, one page the list of tests made and the results. The other pages indicated the considered normal for each test, and the possible consequence of being too far from normal. At that time my cost was less than $35. I would not expect a basic test, as mine was, for less than this, and the most comprehensive tests, costing more than $300. These would only be requested for a commercial application. Al
clydeaustin
9 years ago
I have also been looking for a geotechnical engineer for soil analysis for a construction purpose. Found one online ( https://www.dstgroup.com/projects/slope-stabilization-using-environmentally-friendly-soil-nail-and-root-technology-snart/ ). I would like to know if anyone of you have used them. If yes, please let me know at which stage should I have to call them. And hooslerqullt, I hope this would be useful for you also.
lgteacher
9 years ago
This link will take to to services listed on the Orange County Master Gardener website.soil testing
Puppet2
9 years ago
If you go to this website http://us.wlabs.com/ It is for Wallace Labs in El Segundo California. They have information on testing the soil there. They do the testing and it is who all the Master Gardeners trained through UC Davis Master Gardener Program use. I used them for the garden started where I live. It was not really so expensive but nothing is very cheap any more. The lab seems very involved with all things soil so it might be helpful in other ways also.
Phylis
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
University of Massachusetts Amherst, $15 for Routine Soil Analysis.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/

From the Master Gardeners in Santa Clara county -

http://www.mastergardeners.org/pdf/import/resources/Soil_testing_laboratory_list.pdf
chezron
9 years ago
This is great information, thanks!