# When should you have your soil sampled?

Soil can be sampled almost all year round. Still, some moments are more suitable than others. It depends on what you want to know.


## For the fertilisation plan

Would you like to know the state of the acidity, the organic matter and the phosphate and potassium reserves? That can be done almost all year round.

Many farmers have this done after harvest or in winter. Then the result is in before the new season starts.


## Nitrogen in spring

A nitrogen measurement in spring shows how much mineral nitrogen is already in the soil. This lets you adjust the first fertiliser application to match.


## Nitrogen after harvest

After the harvest or in autumn, a measurement shows how much nitrogen has been left behind. That nitrogen can leach out over the winter.


## When better not to

At these times a soil sample does not give a reliable picture:

- When the ground is frozen
- When the ground is very wet or under water
- Just after fertilising or liming


## At the same time every year

If you want to compare results from different years, always sample in the same period. That way you see real changes and not differences caused by the season.

## Further reading

- [Which sample when](https://monsternemer.nl/en/knowledge/annual-planning/): An overview by season.
- [Taking a good soil sample](https://monsternemer.nl/en/knowledge/taking-a-soil-sample/): A result is only as good as the sample.
- [Measuring nitrogen in the soil](https://monsternemer.nl/en/nitrogen/): How much nitrogen is still available for your crop? And how much could leach out? A nitrogen measurement in the soil answers these questions.

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Source: https://monsternemer.nl/en/knowledge/when-to-sample-soil/