UGA Extension Office

Testing Services

Soil Sample Bags Available at the County Extension Office

Soil sample bag

As a general rule soil sample 1/3 of your pastures each year and sample your hay fields every year.

Soil tests will provide valuable information on the soil’s actual nutrient status. Test results are used to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth of lawn, garden and other types of plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does a soil sample cost?
A:  Soil samples cost $10.00 per bag to send to the lab. You may pay by cash, or check. (Make checks payable to: Heard County 4-H)

Q: When and how often should soils be tested?

A: Soils can be tested any time during the year. However, allow enough time for the analysis and for fertilizer and lime application. Lime reacts slowly and, if possible, it should be mixed with the soil two to three months before planting. Generally, fall is the most desirable time to sample because landscapes and gardens are usually dry and easily accessible.

Once medium or high fertility levels are established, lawn and ornamental areas need to be sampled every two to three years.

Vegetable gardens should be sampled every 1 to 2 years.

Q: How soon will I get my results back (turn-around-time)?

A: It takes 7 to 10 days from the time we receive the samples to the time you get your test reports back. (Holidays will increase turn-around time.)

Need to know the correct way to collect soil samples or have general questions, visit the UGA Extension website.

Soil Testing Instructions for Home Lawns, Gardens, and Wildlife Food Plots

(We DO NOT SHIP soil samples on Friday's) (Samples brought in on Friday will ship the following Monday unless its a holiday weekend. (Then samples will ship on the following Tuesday)


Water Tests

If you are uncertain which water test you need or how to draw water for analysis, please call the Heard County Extension Office at 706-675-3513 for guidance.

Splashing water droplet

Expanded Water Test

The fee for the expanded water test is $65.00 per sample and will test for (W1-Basic, W3-Anions, W11-Soluble Salts, & W18-Alkalinity)  Will take approximately 5-7 business days upon receipt at the lab. You will need 16 oz. (500mL) of water is needed for the expanded water test and needs to be the first draw of the morning from the source most often used (usually the kitchen sink). Use a sterilized jar (no residue of previous contents) or a regular water bottle will work as well. Please do not use a jar that has contained pickles, vinegar, or salsa. (This is the most common test.)

A basic water sample will test for pH and Hardness, Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Silica (SiO2), Sodium (Na), and Zinc (Zn). The fee is $25.00 per sample and will take approximately 2-3 business days upon receipt of the lab. To have your well water tested, you will need 4 oz. (125mL) of water in a sterilized jar (no residue of previous contents) or a regular water bottle will work as well. Please do not use a jar that has contained pickles, vinegar, or salsa.

W35 - Bacteria water test  (Total Coliform / E. coli (Colilert ®) (Requires sample in a special bottle. Drinking Water, Irrigation Water, GAP Program - The kit is available through the Extension office and includes a sampling bottle...extension staff will print the submission form. Follow the instructions and bring them back to the extension so that we can ship them directly to the lab. (Samples accepted Monday-Wednesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm) The kit is $36.00 per sample and tests for total coliform and E. coli levels are $10.00 extra for shipping = $46.00.   (This sample has to be shipped overnight.)  (Shipping cost is an additional cost.)

W33B - Home Loan Closing Water test: W42 (Pb)+W6 (Nitrate)+W7 (Nitrite)+W35 (Total Coliform/E. coli)
(These four tests are commonly required for home closings. Ask your lending agency for specific details. The normal turnaround time is 5-10 business days upon receipt at the lab. The test fee is $85.00 plus $10.00 shipping = $95.00. The (rush service test fee is $85.00 plus $55.00 shipping= $140.00) (Shipping cost is an additional cost.)

NO WATER SAMPLES ARE ACCEPTED ON THURSDAY & FRIDAYS

Note: Special sampling instructions, please contact our office for more information. 706-675-3513.

*When testing a well that has not been used for a lengthy period of time (such as a foreclosed home), you should flush the system prior to testing by running all faucets for 2-3 hours. After flushing the system, follow the directions above to collect a proper sample.

*Expanded and Basic Water Samples are accepted at the Heard County Extension Office Monday through  Wednesday between the hours of  8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

*Bacteria Water tests are accepted on Mondays ONLY to ensure that our lab receives them in a timely manner.

* W33B - Home Loan Closing Water Tests are accepted on Mondays ONLY to ensure that our lab receives them in a timely manner.

(We DO NOT Ship water samples on Thursdays or Fridays.)

(Shipping costs are an additional fee for all water samples)


FEED & FORAGE ANALYSES


General Sampling Information

  1. Taking a representative sample is the most important step in assuring quality analyses. Please follow sampling procedures as described later in this section.
  2. Supply complete information on the sample submission form to ensure maximum usefulness to the client. The animal and feed type must be given if you want calculations for total digestible nutrients (TDN) or other energy values as applicable.
  3. For total mixed rations, concentrates, vitamin/mineral blends, grains and byproducts, collect multiple core samples or grab samples. Composite the cores or grab samples, mix thoroughly, and sub-sample into quart Ziploc bag.
  4. Submit hays and silages in a gallon Ziploc bag.

F1 Hays and Silage (NIR + nitrate + minerals)
Moisture, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Crude Fiber (estimated), Non-fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC), Crude Protein Lignin, Nitrate (NO3), Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Relative Forage Quality (RFQ), 10 Minerals (see F26)

Fee: $45.00 (Estimated turnaround: 5-7 business days upon receipt at the lab.)

F2 - Hays and Silage (NIR + nitrate, excluding minerals)

Moisture, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) Crude, Fiber (estimated), Non-fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC), Crude Protein, Lignin, Nitrate (NO3), Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Relative Forage Quality (RFQ)

Fee: $25.00* (Estimated turnaround: 2-5 business days upon receipt at the lab.)

F3 - Hays and Silage (NIR only)

Moisture, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Crude Fiber (estimated), Non-fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC), Crude Protein, Lignin, Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Relative Forage Quality (RFQ)

Fee: $20.00* (Estimated turnaround: 2-5 business days upon receipt at the lab.)

F26 -  Minerals only
Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe),  Aluminum (Al), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Sodium (Na)

Fee: $30.00 (Estimated turnaround: 5-7 business days upon receipt at the lab.)

*ADDITIONAL COST MIGHT APPLY FOR SHIPPING


Extension Publications

  • Georgia Homegrown Tomatoes (B 1271) This publication discusses the basics of growing tomatoes successfully, as well as avoiding common problems encountered by the home gardener.
  • Home Garden Plums (B 1518) This bulletin offers information about plum production, pruning, thinning, fertilization, and variety selection in the home garden. Plums belong to the Prunus genus and consists of many species of different origins and diverse fruit types. Most commercially grown varieties are derived from either Japanese or Asian plums (P. salicina and its interspecific hybrids) or European plums (P. domestica). Japanese plums are primarily for fresh consumption, while European plums are for both processing and fresh consumption. The products obtained from processing plums include prunes (dried fruit, the predominant product), canned fruit, jam, jelly, juice, and beverages.
  • Home Gardening (B 577) This publication explains everything you need to know about growing a successful home vegetable or herb garden, including location and planning, soil preparation, choosing what to plant and how to tend it, fertilizer, weed control, mulching and composting, watering, pollination, disease and insect control, harvesting, and freezing, canning and preserving.