Geneva College Chemistry Society Accepts Soil Test Samples

BEAVER FALLS, PA (03/21/2014)(readMedia)-- Spring is coming. That means it's time for the Geneva College Chemistry Society to accept lawn and garden soil samples for testing. Samples will be accepted from Monday, March 17 through Wednesday, April 2. Only the first 100 samples will be accepted for analysis.

This year, there are two drop off-locations. Soil samples can be brought to Geneva College campus in Beaver Falls, outside room 212 in the Science & Engineering Building (S&E) from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. They can also be dropped off at Campbell Laboratory, 1900 Third Avenue in New Brighton, from the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. This laboratory partner will collect samples for the Geneva College Chemistry Society to process and complete results. The additional location will provide a convenience to those gardeners in the local communities that Geneva College and Campbell Laboratory serve.

To obtain a sample from a lawn or garden, use a clean trowel to dig up a plug of soil about six inches in depth. A more representative sample may be obtained by taking several plugs and mixing them together. Soil should be obtained when it is fairly dry, if possible. Spread the soil sample on a newspaper to dry indoors for at least 24 hours, mix thoroughly and break up lumps, and place about one cup into a plastic bag. Label the bag with name and address. If a plot has a problem area, it may be advisable to obtain a separate sample from this area.

Soil will be tested for pH, potassium content and phosphorous content. The pH is a measure of the acidity of the soil. Potassium and phosphorus are fertilizer nutrients needed by plants. Results will be mailed out by the first week of May.

The Geneva Chemistry Society is accepting a donation of two dollars per sample to defray the costs of analysis. Any questions regarding soil testing should be directed to Kerry McMahon at 724-847-6722.

Geneva College invites students to accept the challenge of an academically excellent, Christ-centered and affordable education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majors, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and campus-based options, and seven graduate degrees, programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top 10 Best Value in the North Region with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the inerrancy of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God's word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today's world.