Before any investigation can begin, there must be a site visit. It is important for soil testing to be a systematic process that involves soil and the surroundings and all key components of the soil’s condition. That means it is important for the company doing the soil investigation to know exactly where they are going, what they will do, and how they are going to get there. Once on-site, the soil sample must undergo several steps to determine the quality and type of soil and its fertility.
The first step involves collecting a sample of the soil to be tested. The best way to collect a sample is to simply walk around the area. If no sample collection or planning is required, the best option is to use a walk-through trowel and collect samples at every convenient location. When walking through the area, the trowel can be used as a guide to miss no part of the soil sample. If the sample is gathered using the skip method, a person simply drags a skip right into the sample chamber, and the sample is immediately collected for analysis.
Samples must then be tested to determine the chemical and physical properties of the soil. Some companies rely solely on computer databases to generate a soil analysis report. Other soil testing companies use manual, on-site surveys that include determining soil pH, the total number of silt particles in the soil, and the mineral content. After these initial tests, an accurate report is generated that can be used to make critical decisions about the next phase of the soil testing process.
Most soil analysis companies also provide secondary testing. This process involves testing soil samples that have already been tested and determined to be within recommended parameters. Samples of soil that meet these secondary specifications may need further testing to verify that they are described. If additional testing is necessary, the soil analysis companies use their experience to conduct the additional testing necessary to meet all customer expectations.
There are many different aspects of soil testing that soil analysis companies can address. These companies can analyze water, vegetation, and human remains in soil samples. They can even evaluate air quality in the soil. The soil testing process’s goal is to give the customer a complete analysis of the soil that is currently in place. That is why soil testing is so important.
There are many different types of soil analysis companies out there. Many are small, family-run enterprises owned by just one person. There are some well-established, professionally organized organizations, too, but they tend to be much larger. Many soil analysis companies work with a wide range of customers, from farmers to development companies to water management districts. Their customers also vary, from cities to homeowners to state and federal agencies.
In the United States, professional soil analysis companies are located in several areas. These include Texas, where the Johnson brothers operate soil testing laboratories. Brothers Bill and Earl Johnson have been testing soil for nearly two decades and were the first to use state-of-the-art equipment to do so. They have continued to find new ways to test soil, learn what kinds of tests are most effective, and continue developing the labs and their methods.
Another large company with a laboratory in California is Environmental tested, which has been testing soils for decades. They have close ties to the state government and are heavily involved in environmental testing in California. Yet another lab situated in Colorado is run by Bill Gardner, who has been testing soil for the better part of three decades. He also works closely with the EPA. His company, Green Valley Micro Labs, is located near Ellensburg, West Virginia.
