Do mix soils from high and low areas. Do not mix soils from disturbed sites and nondisturbed sites. Remove the living plants and thatch layer when taking the soil cores. Recently fertilized areas should not be sampled. Contact your county cooperative Extension office for the fee structure, mailing containers and information sheet.
Air dry the sample before sending.
Avoid taking samples if the soil has been overly wet or dry for extended periods, because at that time the active nematode population will be reduced. A turf sample from another area in addition to the soil sample from the affected area would also be desirable. This second soil sample should be taken from areas of healthy grass should be taken for comparative purposes. Place individual samples in a plastic bag, not allowing the soil to become overheated or dried out. Overheating or drying will kill many of the nematodes, resulting in an artificially low count.