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