How Do You Sample Soils For Pesticides & Herbicides?
For best results for your garden, soil testing is recommended. Soil testing can provide useful information such as pH and nutrient content. These measurements can guide plant selection decisions. It can also supply information regarding past use of the land and environmental impacts from nonpoint source pollution (NSP). NSP is pollution from runoff such as from agricultural fields. Even if you don’t use them, NSP can bring unwanted pesticides and herbicides onto your soil. Areas in the watershed of farms and development are most vulnerable. Gather and clean materials to collect the soil sample. All tools and containers must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent contamination and provide an accurate reading. Dig several holes in the planting area to gather a representative sample, placing soil in a clean bucket. Pesticides and herbicides can be mobile in the environment, using the same transport methods of NSP that brought the contaminants to the soil in the first place. Alternatively, use a
