To have your soil investigated contact a soil consultant. The Association of Ohio Pedologists and the Soil Science Society of America both have certification programs for soil scientists. (Find a professional through ARCPACS or through AOP.)
Soil maps only indicate what the dominant soils are in a given area. A trained soil scientist can determine the soils at specific sites and their properties, giving you the ability to accurately identify nuisances or best locations for structures, ponds and waste treatment facilities.
It is important to have soil investigations when planning your own property. It is a good idea to have a soil investigation completed before the purchase of a property.
Some of the reasons to have soils investigated are to:
- Determine suitability for a septic system (With a soil investigation you can get a good idea on the cost and type of system needed for your property.)
- Determine if a soil is hydric (a wetland soil)
- Determine site suitability for building location
- Determine if you are likely to have a wet or dry basement before building
Investigations before purchasing can eliminate nuisances such as:
- Cracking and movement of foundations
- Leaky basements
- Ponding of water in the yard
- Septic system failure or a very costly septic system
- Limitations of use due to the presence of wetlands
You can have your soils sampled for:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Organic Matter
- Many differing types of micronutrients
- Acidity (pH)
Soil Testing Laboratories and Fact Sheet - Ohio State University Extension