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When gathering soil for testing, you should first remember to gather your soil with an iron free spoon or trowel. This will ensure that your soil has no trace amounts of iron from the tool, which could affect the test results.
Do not dig too deep. You want the soil tested where the roots of your plants are actually growing. Samples from a depth of five inches are recommended for vegetable and flower gardens. Soil samples from your lawn should be taken at a depth of three to four inches.