Soil Diagnostics

Below you'll find a step-by-step guide for assessing the current health of your soil. Use these insights to inform your choices on soil amendments and crop selection. This diagnostics page is continually updated, so check back regularly for the latest improvements. For best results, follow each step in order.

Albrecht Soil Analysis

Soil minerals drive natural fertility. Knowing your soil’s composition shows how well your cropping strategy fits its needs. This understanding empowers you to refine practices for optimal soil structure and bulk density—a cornerstone of soil health that balances soil solids and vital pore space.

Soil Chemistry

Soil Physics

Slake Test

This easy DIY test reveals your soil’s structure. Ideally, healthy aggregates remain intact in water. If your soil falls apart during the slake test, it’s a sign that the biological community needs strengthening.

Soil Biology

MicroBiometer

While soil microbiome data won’t give you direct management prescriptions, it acts as a valuable indicator of your soil health practices. A dysbiotic soil community signals that your soils may not be functioning optimally. By tracking microbial trends, you can assess if your current strategies are improving soil biology and adjust your management towards more microbe-friendly approaches.

This Soil Diagnostics page provides a clear, actionable pathway for assessing soil health and guiding effective land management. It highlights the importance of understanding your soil’s mineral balance (Albrecht Analysis), physical structure (bulk density and aggregate stability), and biological activity (microbial monitoring).

By following the outlined steps, you gain insights into how your soil’s chemistry, physics, and biology interact to support healthy crops. The diagnostics process helps you tailor soil amendments and cropping strategies, monitor the effectiveness of your management, and move toward practices that build resilient, fertile soils capable of supporting deep-rooted plants and high productivity.