Soil tests Soil supplies plants with support, nutrients and water.
Analyzing a sample of soil before planting can help a Gardener or landscaper be more successful. Private companies and Colorado State University soil testing laboratory can test soil samples. Routine soil tests check for the conditions plants need to grow, such as the amount of fertilizer nutrients, but do not check for foreign soil contaminants such as petroleum products or pesticides. A routine soil test evaluates the texture of a soil, which determines the way a soil drains. Typical textures are sand, clay or a mixture of the two.