There are lots of reasons for variation in soil sample results. But it is still the best way to know what nutrients are available in your soil before you plant the crop
by KEITH REID
It’s not uncommon to hear reports of someone who wanted to check the performance of a soil test lab by splitting a soil sample and sending it to two labs. Often, widely different results are obtained from each lab. Does this mean soil testing is flawed?
Not at all, but there is a certain level of variability in soil testing that needs to be understood to interpret the results of these differences.