Surveying the microbiology in the soil is a fantastic way to really see a clear picture of soil health. A soil assessment from Harmony Foodscapes, gives a population estimate for the four major organism groups: fungi, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes. Through this assessment, we can get a clear picture of overall soil health (through counting the good guys and the bad guys) and what stage of succession your soil is in.
Ordering a Soil Test
Please download the order form and include it with your samples. Do not place the order form inside the bag(s) of your samples. Please make sure you have reviewed the sampling and shipping protocols.
Sampling Procedures
To take a soil sample you will need the following items: a simple apple corer, clean, new plastic zip top baggie (sandwich size), permanent marker.
Sampling Do’s
- Use Clean Tools and Containers
- Clearly Label outside of sample
- Seal container with air INSIDE
- Include a sampling map and reference the ID on the order form
- Ship samples to arrive within 2-3 business days or contact me for door dropoff or pickup (extra charge)
- Review the sampling procedure document
Sampling Don’ts
- DO NOT dry-down sample before bagging.
- DO NOT expel air from container
- DO NOT place anything, other than your sample, inside your container
- DO NOT fill your container more than 1/2 full
Depending on the existing vegetation of the area you are sampling, different procedures are used to get a representative sample. Download the full sampling protocol for detailed instructions. It also includes procedures for sampling compost.
Sending in Your Samples
Properly pack your samples in a box taking care to prevent the samples from jostling around in transit, as this may cause the bags to open and spoil the sample. It is important to get the sample to the lab with 2-3 days to ensure the oxygen levels inside the bag do not drop so low, the good biology go dormant. In the heat of the summer, faster transit times are preferred and excessive temperatures can alter the biology as well.
Grand Junction Area Residents: Contact me to arrange door dropoff or hire me to take the sample(s) for you (additional fee).
Mail your Samples to:
Harmony Foodscapes
566 22 1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81507
Drop off Samples at New Way Refillery:
936 North Ave. Ste #102
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Attn: Harmony Foodscapes
Please ensure your include your payment in the box as well as your order form to prevent testing delays. Samples will not be returned.
Val has completed the foundational courses and Certified Lab Technician certification from Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web school. These classes teach students how the biology of the soil can rapidly and effectively regenerate the soil. When we stop adding harmful chemicals and constant disturbance to our soils, whether is is a agricultural field, pasture, lawn or garden, we can assist the rapid regeneration of the beneficial biology that provide the proper nutrients for all plants to thrive and limit/eliminate disease and pest problems.
As big of an issue climate change is for our world, focusing on the soil food web and tweaking our approach to growing things, each individual can have a tremendous impact! The best part is that by allowing the biology to do all the work, your daily/weekly/yearly inputs (meaning time and money) will decrease.
This approach protects and purifies the world’s waterways, reverses Climate Change (with carbon drawdown) and provides you with super-nutritious foods.
Click to be taken to the SoilFoodWeb.com and learn more about how the food web works.