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Soil sampling requirements in Pennsylvania

Soil sampling requirements in Pennsylvania

State rules: 25 Pa. Code Chapter 83, Subchapter D, Nutrient Management. State guidance: Penn State Extension sampling advice.

Soil sampling in Pennsylvania: frequency, area, depth and cores

How often do you need to soil sample in Pennsylvania?

When in the year should soil be sampled in Pennsylvania?

How many acres can one soil sample cover in Pennsylvania?

How deep should soil samples be taken in Pennsylvania?

  • Penn State Extension sampling advice Official guidance Plow depth in cultivated fields. No-till: one sample to 6 inches (15.24 cm) and one to 2 inches (5.08 cm). Permanent pasture: 3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 cm).

How many cores go into one soil sample in Pennsylvania?

How many soil samples does a 100-acre field need in Pennsylvania?

Penn State Extension sampling advice: A uniform 100-acre field needs at least 10 composite samples of no more than 10 acres each, and at least 150 cores in all, 15 per sample.

Samples and cores for any field size

Soil sampling rules in Pennsylvania, with the exact wording of each source
Country / region Purpose / programme Time / frequency Area per sample Method Depth Cores Status and source
United States
PennsylvaniaUnited StatesPennsylvania only. Other states set their own rules.Soil test for P, K and pH in a nutrient management planNutrient Management Act (Act 38), nutrient management plans
  • Repeat Every crop management unit at least every 3 years from the date of the last test, once the plan is approved
  • Result valid For the initial plan, tests taken within the previous 3 years are acceptable
Not specifiedOne soil test per crop management unit: a field, part of a field or group of fields with the same rotation and manure history and similar production capability, managed as one unit.Not specifiedNot specifiedConditional25 Pa. Code Section 83.292
Who it applies to, the exact wording and every source
Who it applies to
Nutrient management plan operations: concentrated animal operations (8 or more animal equivalent units where animal density exceeds 2 AEUs per acre on an annualized basis), operations that submit a plan voluntarily, and operations required to develop compliance plans under section 506(j) of the Act. Soil tests for every crop management unit.
Laboratory and analysis
Accurate test procedures; the Penn State recommended procedures in Recommended Soil Testing Procedures for the Northeastern United States (Bulletin 493) may be used, others need Commission approval. The plan lists P, K and pH results, the test date and the lab name.
In force from
1 October 2006
Legal text
25 Pa. Code Chapter 83, Subchapter D, Nutrient Management, Section 83.292(e)

The wording in the source

Timing

Method

  • When developing the initial plan, soil tests shall be conducted for each crop management unit on the operation, to determine the level of phosphorus (as P), potassium (as K), and soil pH

    25 Pa. Code Section 83.292(e)

  • The portion of cropland, hayland and pasture, including a field, a portion of a field, or group of fields, on an agricultural operation that has a unique management history (same rotation and manure history), similar production capability, and that will be managed uniformly as a distinct unit.

    25 Pa. Code Section 83.201, definition of crop management unit

Who it applies to

Laboratory and analysis

  • The soil test procedures used must provide accurate test results. The procedures recommended by the Pennsylvania State University and published in Recommended Soil Testing Procedures for the Northeastern United States, Bulletin #493, published by the University of Delaware, may be used to meet this requirement. Other procedures shall be approved by the Commission.

    25 Pa. Code Section 83.292(e)(1)

  • The plan must include an appendix containing a summary of the results of the soil test analyses for each crop management unit showing the following:

    25 Pa. Code Section 83.292(e)(3)

  • The date of the soil tests and the name of the lab performing the tests.

    25 Pa. Code Section 83.292(e)(3)(iv)

In force

Sources

Sources re-checked every two months, last update October 2026. Reviewed by GeoPard editorial team.
PennsylvaniaUnited StatesPennsylvania only. Other states set their own rules.Routine soil fertility sampling for cropland and foragePenn State Extension sampling advice
  • Repeat At least every 3 years, or when the cropping system changes significantly
  • Season Fall is the best time logistically. Before a forage seeding: at least 6 months ahead.
One sample should not represent more than 10 to 20 acres (4.05 to 8.09 ha)Cores at random over the field, between old crop rows; separate samples from known problem areas.Plow depth in cultivated fields. No-till: one sample to 6 inches (15.24 cm) and one to 2 inches (5.08 cm). Permanent pasture: 3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 cm).At least 15 to 20 spots at random over the fieldOfficial guidancePenn State Extension, Soil Fertility Management for Forage Crops: Pre-establishment
Who it applies to, the exact wording and every source
Who it applies to
Advice for Pennsylvania fields from Penn State Extension. Not law.
In force from
Under review
Legal text
Penn State Extension, Soil Fertility Management for Forage Crops: Pre-establishment (updated August 2025)

The wording in the source

Timing

  • A regular soil testing program should be followed in fields by sampling at least every three years or when the cropping system in a field significantly changes.

    Soil Testing

  • The best time to sample from a logistical standpoint is in the fall. However, when establishing a forage crop, soil samples should be collected at least six months prior to establishment to allow for soil pH adjustments, if necessary.

    Guidelines for Taking a Soil Sample

Area per sample

Method

Depth

Cores

Sources

Sources re-checked every two months, last update October 2026. Reviewed by GeoPard editorial team.

United States: federal rules and every other state

Soil sampling regulations in every country

Report an outdated requirement: info@geopard.tech

Plan the points to the rule that applies

Set the area per sample, the cores and the depth your rule asks for. GeoPard places the points on a grid or by zone, routes the walk, prints the labels and takes the plan to the field on a phone.

Create a sampling plan See the Soil Sampling Planner

A planning reference built from official sources, not legal advice. Rules apply by jurisdiction, nutrient, land use and programme: check the current official text and your laboratory’s instructions before fieldwork.

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