Soil testing

[Anonymous]

We want to plant some vegetables in our back yard, and want to have the soil tested first. The neighbour told us that many pesticides were thrown there to kill bamboo, that was more than 15 years ago, but I still wnat to know.
Can I send a sample somewhere to have tests done? I don't know what I am supposed to test for, so I need advice from them.
We are in NoVa but I guess you can mail soil samples anywhere.

Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous]

I'd just do a raised garden bed and get new soil. Things will grow better too.

[Anonymous]

UMass has a good soil lab, but they test for nutrients (and lead), not organophosphate pesticides or anything like that. 15 years sounds like a long to me though.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/

[Anonymous]

UNC-Asheville also has a soil testing service, but we only used them for lead.

[Anonymous]

http://www.al-labs-eastern.com/
They will test for what ever you want. Takes about two weeks or less. Call them and explain the history of your property and they can tell you what you should test for. It's not too expensives.

[Anonymous]

Montgomery County Soil Conservation 301 590-2855

University of Maryland
www.agnr.umd.edu
www.hgic.umd.edu
1-800-342-2507 for a soil test bag

University of Delaware
302-831-1392

University of Pennsylvania
814-863-0841

[Anonymous]

Clay and acid if you are in dc....

[Anonymous]

You can pick up the mail in-forms for the Virgina Co-Op Extension at Merrifield Garden Center other garden centers. Otherwise you can download from this link at Virgnia Tech: http://www.soiltest.vt.edu/index.html

Call them if these is something beyond their basic testing packages.