Quick guide to sample shipment and storage:
- Always keep soil samples out of direct sunlight and away from heat, preferably in a cooler.
- Samples need to be stored in a refrigerator or cold room after returning from field.
- Make sure to send a completed Soil Health Submission form in a Ziplock bag that includes your penetrometer measurements (optional) with your sample.
- Use rapid shipping method, double Ziplock bag your soil sample and ship sample with blue ice packs during warm weather periods.
- Use Small Flat Rate box or send up to four, 4-cup samples, using USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box.
- 4-5 cups of soil are required for the soil health analysis packages. Individual analyses have varied required amounts of soil which can be found here.
Ship to us as soon as possible
Cornell Soil Health Lab
804 Bradfield Hall
306 Tower Road
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-1901
(607) 227-6055
Note: Submission forms must be included with the soil samples when shipped. Failure to include submission forms may result in delays and/or denial of requested soil analyses.
Important information regarding changes to packaging protocols for shipments within the U.S.
- Beginning June 1 2016 each individual sample needs to be double bagged prior to packaging and shipping. Packing material such as crumpled paper or bubble wrap must be placed in the box with the samples to prevent sample movement and spillage during shipping.
- There are certain counties in the US where soil should neither be packaged nor shipped. Soil received from these counties will be destroyed without processing. For a complete list of prohibited counties, see: Cornell Soil Health Laboratory Guide to Prohibited, Domestic Regulated and Quarantine Areas.
- See detailed packing instructions: Cornell Soil Health Laboratory: How to Package and Ship Samples.