when to do soil test?

[wklman]

This is probably a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway. If I do a soil test this fall on my food plots will the results still be accurate come spring? I'll be trying to get a jump on what I need so I can apply fertilizer/lime as soon as I come up next spring.

 

[tooln]

I don't see why not & it's sure better than not having one done. But if you can get some lime down this fall you'd be better off.

 

[SD51555]

There shouldn't be any change except for some of your mobile nutrients like nitrogen. And unless you're following a legume, I'd assume you don't have any and just put on what your crop needs next year.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I agree - your pH, P and K shouldn't change too much between fall and spring.

I also agree that it would be good to add some lime this fall if your test shows a low pH. It's better to pull a soil sample now than wait until next spring when you might get busy and not have the time to do it.

 

[wklman]

Thanks guys, I wasn't sure if things changed much or not from fall/winter to spring. If I can get the results back soon enough I'm going to try and get some lime down this fall. I've only a 2 week window when I'm up during the fall.