We provide soil nutrient testing services to assist with the implementation of Conservation Plans and soil nutrient management. In some cases, a Basic Test may be provided free of charge to agricultural residents of Thurston County. Residents seeking soils tests for personal gardens and lawns, out-of-county residents, and those residents who do not fall within a grant funded area must pay the associated cost. Please contact our office for further information.

Samples are sent to a certified lab for the processing. A Basic Test consists of testing for pH (soil and buffered), Nitrate, Phosphate, Extractable cations (Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium), Organic matter and Cation exchange capacity. More in-depth tests are also available at a fee. Results of all testing are generally available within 2 weeks of receipt of samples.

We encourage residents to gather their own sample and bring it to our office for processing. Check out these Instructions For Taking A Soil Sample!

Please contact our office by email at tcd@thurstoncd.com or phone us at (360) 754-3588 for more information about our soil testing program.

Disclaimer: The Thurston Conservation District has no intention of competing with private testing labs, and offers this service in response to a perceived need for affordable, bare-bones nutrient testing. A list of private testing labs in the Northwest is available to anyone who requests it.