Soil Health

A number of individual soil tests may be used to assess aspects of soil health, including those obtained with routine soil analysis. However, a comprehensive evaluation includes a suite of complementary tests to measure chemical, physical, and biological soil properties. Researchers at Cornell University evaluated a large number of these measurements for use in Northeastern cropping systems and now offer the most meaningful measurements as part of the Cornell University Soil Health Test. This suite of soil health indicators is designed to provide growers with helpful information about problems that may limit crop productivity and/or soil performance. Recommendations are provided with the results to help growers address problems that may be identified. More information about the Cornell University Soil Health Test (including sampling protocol, current prices, and submission forms) can be found at http://soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu/. Other soil testing laboratories in New England now offer soil health tests as well; check with your local lab.