Soil Analysis  

This can provide extremely valuable information towards the provision of accurate and independent advice and recommendations. 

Below are a number of companies that provide independent results for soil samples, the list is not exclusive there are many others but these are/have been used by the ECB: 

Sports Turf Research Institute, St Ives Estate, Bingly, West Yorkshire, BD16 1AU 

Tel: 01274 565131 

National Soil Resources Institute, Cranfield University, Silsoe,  Bedford, MK45 4DT 

Tel: 01525 863000 

Total Turf Solutions Ltd, Quinton Green  Park, Wooton Road, Northampton, NN7 2EG 

Tel: 01604 862925 

 As each laboratory has it's own requirements therefore contacting the chosen source is recommended to establish their requirements, weight of soil needed, and appropriate costs.  The soil sample should not include the thatch/fibre that has built up at the surface and should be soil from the top 100mm of the profile. 

The typical tests are: 

1)Particle Size Analysis with Organic Matter content (Pipette method) -----to establish the clay/sand/silt percentages

 2)Chemical Content--available Phosphate and Potash----to establish any nutrient deficiencies.

 3)pH  --to establish the acidity/alkalinity of the soil

 Soil analysis provides an insight into the existing soil and the possibilities for improving the conditions using  compatible top dressing materials ,fertilisers and grass species