Soil Testing Program

We offer soil testing assistance for producers and home gardeners within the District area.

To figure out if you’re within the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District, please click here

For producers we cover the cost of  a ‘standard’ panel of tests including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), organic matter (OM), inorganic nitrogen (nitrate-N or ammonium-N), phosphorus (P) – Olsen method, potassium (K), texture, and micronutrients such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu). 

An excellent primer on sampling for New Mexico soils is online at http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/A146/welcome.html or if you would like a hard copy, we can mail it to you.  There are other useful publications on soils at http://aces.nmsu.edu, and all with contact information for help with analysis of your test results.

If you have a sample ready for testing, you can drop it off at the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area Visitors Center during open business hours. Currently our hours have changed due to Covid-19 restrictions, please call ahead to ensure someone is available to receive your sample and application.

For more information about our program, please contact our office at 505-864-8914 or email at public-input <[email protected]>

Soil samples will be sent out every Saturday. Soil results take 2-3 weeks.

 

Application Window: Anytime

Overview: Valencia SWCD residents are eligible for 2 soil test each year.

Image: Soil Testing in Meadow Lake Community Gardens