Welcome to the Harmon County Agriculture page! Find programs and information about agriculture, production and management within Harmon county and surrounding areas to help your farm, ranch or garden. We are always happy to help and direct you in the right direction to best fit your needs.

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Agriculture - Soil Test Instructions

Soil samples can be submitted to the Harmon County OSU Extension Center, 320 N. Main St. in Hollis, or call (580) 688-3584 for more information. Each county extension office offers this service and works in conjunction with the OSU Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory to get your samples processed. Harmon County provides access to soil probes and hay corers, and will provide you with bags to place your samples in. Soil samples generally takes two or three weeks for results to become available. Payments are accepted in cash or check only. Checks can be made out to Harmon County Extension Office. 

 

Soil tests provide a scientific basis for evaluating available plant nutrients in cropland, pastures, lawns and gardens. Analyses of soil sample can help farmers and homeowners fine-tune nutrient applications from fertilizers, bio solids, and animal manure. Properly managing the amount of nutrients added to the soil can save money and protect the environment.

  

The steps for obtaining the sample are as follows:

1. Using a trowel, shovel or soil probe, obtain six inch samples of soil, removing all grass and trash.
2. Each area of interest, such as lawn, vegetable garden, pasture or field should be tested separately. It is recommended to test samples at the same time each year to maintain consistency in viewing your nutrient changes from year to year.
3. Obtain fifteen to twenty random samples from the area you want tested. Divide the area and follow a random pattern when sampling. Avoid unusual spots, like a wet area, and try to obtain a representative sample.
4. Place the random samples in a clean plastic bucket, mix thoroughly by hand, place at least a full pint of the random sample in a clean container or bag, label it, e.g., FRONT, BACK, SIDE of the house. Samples should not be saturated, but fairly dry. For most garden areas one sample/plot should be adequate.
5. When you return the sample to the Extension Office specify the crop you wish to grow and the yield goal (lawn, garden and legume crops do not need yield goal).
6. Submit your samples to the Tulsa County OSU Extension Office.

 

SWAFL Testing Fees & Other Tests

• Basic Soil Test (pH, N, P & K) $10
• Basic Feed/Forage Test (Protein, Moisture, ADF, TDN & Net energy: gain, lactation & maintenance) $24
• Forage/Feed Nitrate Toxicity $6
• Water (Irrigation, Household (Excluding Bacterial Test which is performed at most County Health Departments) & Livestock) $15 (Homebrewer) $18   
• Animal Waste & Compost $25
   

For further information on these test or other test offered, please visit the Laboratory Services and Price List.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does the Routine soil sample cost? 

  $10.00 for N-P-K analysis with pH and Buffer index, includes recommendations.

  ( pH (1:1), Lime requirement (Sikora Buffer), NO3-N, Soil test P & K by Mehlich 3 (MIII))

• How often should soil be tested?

  A soil test should be conducted if fertilizer is going to be applied or when problems occur during the growing season. Once every year is recommended when nitrogen fertilizer is applied, and at least once every three years if P and K are concerned.

• When is the best time to take soil samples?
  Soil samples can be taken anytime throughout the year for checking pH, phosphorus and potassium status.  Collect soil samples 1-2 months before planting. Early spring is a good time to take soil samples for summer crops, and summer is a good time to sample for fall and winter crops.  This allows time for lime recommended to react with the soil and change the pH before the crop is planted. To assess soil available nitrogen, sample as close to planting as possible. For Lawns, the late spring (May) is a good time sample for warm season grass and the summer (mid-Aug) is good for cool-season grasses.
• What tools and supplies are needed to take a soil sample?

  A clean plastic bucket, a soil probe or a shovel are needed.  Soil probes may be borrowed from our office.

• How should a soil sample be taken?

  Collect a core with a probe, or a slice with a shovel, of soil from the surface to 6 inches deep from 15 random locations across the sampling area. Mix the samples together in a clean plastic bucket. Put 2 cups of the mix into a soil sample bag or a clean container and label it. ( e.g., FRONT, BACK, SIDE of the house.)

   

  For most garden areas one sample/plot should be adequate. When you return the sample to the Extension Office specify the crop you wish to grow and the yield goal (lawn, garden, and legume crops do not need yield goal). 

   

  For more information, visit the fact sheet: PSS-2207 How to Get a Good Soil Sample.

  Several separated samples may be needed from a yard to reflect the different uses.

• Can samples be taken when soils are wet?

  Soil moisture does not affect the test results since samples are dried before they are analyzed.  However, extremely wet soils are difficult to collect and mix.  Therefore, allow soils to drain before sampling.  Soils too dry are normally hard to get to the right depth.

 

Resources

• Want the latest information on Oklahoma weather conditions? Visit the Mesonet homepage.
• Find video news from OSU specialists, researchers and other experts on SUNUP TV.
• Find research-based information on a wide variety of topics including agriculture, economic development, family and consumer sciences, and youth development from OSU Extension Fact Sheets.