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Soil health testing is fundamental to know your soil and how to take care of it. In the Soil Lab at Mud Valley Foundation<\/a> we recommend a fundamental set of 6 different indicators for soil health testing over a time. These indicators were chosen as the set of minimum tests you can do to get critical soil health information about your soil without depending on a laboratory. They measure the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil. These are important because the physical and biological functions of soil influence key chemical functions, such as nutrient availability. Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving gardens and productive veggie beds.<\/span><\/p>\n These indicators can be found in the Ecosystem Restoration Communities Soil Framework<\/a> (ERCSF) and are the key indicators used in the Horizon Europe ECHO soil testing program<\/a>, for which Mud Valley Foundation is an ambassador.<\/span><\/p>\n The 6 fundamental soil health testing indicators are:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n – soil texture (physical) ERCSF Indicator #1,<\/span><\/p>\n – soil structure <\/span>and aggregate stability<\/span> (physical) ERCSF Indicator #2,<\/span><\/p>\n – soil water infiltration (physical) ERCSF Indicator #7,<\/span><\/p>\n – soil pH (chemical) ERCSF Indicator #8,<\/span><\/p>\n – biological activity in soil (biological) ERCSF Indicator #9,<\/span><\/p>\n – and soil organic matter (SOM) (biological) ERCSF Indicator #15.<\/span><\/p>\n Below you will find all the details for each indicator – what they are, why it matters, how to test for it, and what you will learn from the results.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=” When, how often, and where to do soil health testing” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”] <\/p>\n Everyone interested in improving soil health should have in mind that soil management practices change soil slowly over time. By monitoring changes in soil properties over time, early signs of soil degradation such as erosion or compaction, or soil regeneration such as a gain of organic matter can be detected and fixed.<\/span><\/p>\n Soils should be tested at similar times each year (ideally during the spring) using the same methods in order to accurately measure changes in the soil over time. <\/span>It is important to repeat these tests every year for at least for 5 years and ideally up to 10 years.<\/span><\/p>\n First, a representative soil sample is collected from the field, typically using a shovel. You can select the location(s) according to what land use(s) or practice(s) you adopted which you want to measure the impact of. Ideally, you will do the soil sampling 2-3 days after a good rain event so that the soil is moist but not soaked; digging will be easier, as is performing the soil testing. It will also be more relevant as soil life will be more active in the spring in these conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n At each sampling point, first remove the roots and plants aboveground, and then <\/span>dig out a 30x30x30 centimeters <\/span>cube of topsoil.<\/span> You will be able to complete all of the soil health tests indicated below with this same sample.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ededed” custom_margin=”0px|2px|0px|2px|false|false” custom_padding=”|30px||30px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Soil texture: Indicator #1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mudvalley.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mud_Valley_Soil_Lab_soil.jpeg” alt=”soil lab equipment microbiometer” title_text=”Mud_Valley_Soil_Lab_soil” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”5px||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-cc499c27-c030-4e8d-8ebc-4d395eef777a” custom_margin=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-cc499c27-c030-4e8d-8ebc-4d395eef777a%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”] Soil texture describes the proportion of sand, silt, and clay in your soil. This influences how soil drains, holds nutrients, and behaves overall.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Testing option #1 – Feel Test” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|10px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] <\/p>\n The feel test uses touch and ribboning. The f<\/span>eel test is a qualitative method, as it does not provide exact values of sand, silt, and clay. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=” How to do it” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|10px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] The ribboning technique involves moistening a soil sample to form a ball or ribbon to estimate texture based on coherence and ribbon length.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This method visually shows how much sand, silt, and clay you have in your soil sample.<\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mudvalley.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/texture-triangle.jpg” alt=”soil lab equipment microbiometer” title_text=”texture triangle” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”5px||5px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”0px||40px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] You will need a clear jar with a lid and water (+ dish soap) per soil sample.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Soil structure is how particles clump together into aggregates. It is a key indicator of soil functioning and health as it affects root growth, water flow, and microbial life. Two complementary tests can be used and scores are given based on size, shape, and stability of aggregates.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It indicates the stability of soil aggregates, resistance to erosion and, suggests how soil can maintain its structure to provide water and air for plants and soil organisms when it is rapidly wetted.<\/p>\n Infiltration is the downward entry of water into the soil. Water from rainfall or irrigation must be able to enter the soil for it to be valuable. Soil temporarily stores water, making it available for root uptake, plant growth, and habitat for soil organisms. <\/p>\n Soil pH is a soil chemical property which plays a key role in regulating nutrient availability and other soil processes. Nutrients are available for plant uptake at different soil pH, therefore different crops thrive at different pH values.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n pH values between 5.5 and 7.5 are suitable for most of the crops and animals because they can support a larger variety of nutrients.<\/p>\n Low pH = nutrient lockup, poor growth Knowing pH also helps determine if lime or sulfur is needed.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Testing option #1- pH Test Strip Method” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] Note: These options give a general idea, not exact numbers<\/p>\n The presence and abundance of soil life can be estimated by a count of earthworms but can also including other soil organisms (e.g. insects, fungi and bacteria). Earthworms are natural tillers and indicators of a living, healthy soil ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Biodiversity supports nutrient cycling and pest control. Organic matter (OM) is the decomposed plant and animal material in the soil. It fuels soil life, holds nutrients, and improves water retention.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n High organic matter content means fertile and resilient soil. Soil rich in organic matter is darker, richer, and more fertile.<\/p>\n Once you have completed your soil health testing, you will have a surprisingly clear picture of your soil\u2019s:<\/p>\n Healthy soil usually has a loamy texture with a stable structure, darker color, neutral to slightly acidic pH (6\u20137), a good water infiltration, and plenty of earthworms.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”How to build better soil” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h5″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] If your results show issues, do not worry. Most problems can be improved with:<\/p>\n Healthy soil is the foundation for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security. Using these soil health testing indicators, anyone can get a surprisingly accurate idea of their soil\u2019s health. You do not need fancy lab equipment or expensive tools to understand what\u2019s happening beneath your feet.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Going further” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”] Obtaining further information on soil properties requires the use of specialized equipment for tests in the field and in the laboratory as results are less likely to be influenced by user bias. Soil health testing doesn\u2019t have to be done alone. At the farm, we get volunteers involved through community and citizen science projects as well as school day programs. \ud83c\udf31 The Soil Lab at Mud Valley Foundation is an onsite, field-based soil laboratory supporting research and education focused on improving soil health and agricultural production gains. Learn more about it<\/a>.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] \ud83d\udc49 Learn more about our partner, Ecosystem Restoration Communities, whose ERC Soil Framework we use, by visiting their website<\/a>.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ededed” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Additional Resources” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] You can read more about soil health and monitoring & evaluation plan in previous related blog posts: Why Creating a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is Important – Mud Valley Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n Other additional interesting resources: FAO Soil Testing Methods\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Soil Monitoring Guide<\/a><\/p>\n Soil, Yield and Biodiversity Tests<\/a><\/p>\n Soil Slaking Test 1<\/a> & 2<\/a><\/p>\nUsing your senses<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Score 1= Complete slaking\/poor condition (aggregate breaks down completely into grains)
Score 2= Partial slaking\/moderate condition (aggregate breaks but some remain intact on top)
Score 3= No slaking\/good condition (no change, water is clean)<\/li>\n<\/ol>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|10px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]What you will learn<\/h4>\n
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The speed at which water enters the soil is the infiltration rate, which is typically expressed in millimeters or centimeters per hour.
Soil water infiltration tests measure how quickly water soaks into the soil, indicating soil compaction, porosity, and structure.<\/p>\nWhy it matters<\/h4>\n
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High pH = micronutrient deficiencies<\/p>\nHow to do it<\/h4>\n
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Earthworms improve structure, infiltration, and nutrient mixing.
Microbes break down organic matter and form humus.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Testing option- Earthworm Count” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]How to do it<\/h4>\n
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It supports microbial biodiversity and nutrient cycling.
It buffers against drought and erosion.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Testing option- Soil Color Test” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]How to do it<\/h4>\n
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Soil color is often the most visually apparent property of soil. While color itself does not influence the behavior or practical use of soils, it does indicate important information about the soil’s organic matter content, mineralogy, moisture, and drainage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|10px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]What you will learn<\/h4>\n
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Soil color is the indicator that shows how the organic matter and carbon content of soil changes over time, with particular landuse and\/or restoration interventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Bringing it all together” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
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In the Soil Lab<\/a>, we use additional equipment that also focuses on the 3 aspects of the soil.<\/p>\n\n
*You can find more detailed information about our soil testing equipment here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_5_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”gcid-7f0e497c-529a-4953-b0d4-92935468c329″ custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-7f0e497c-529a-4953-b0d4-92935468c329%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”]Involving our community<\/h5>\n
Hands-on learning builds awareness and action from the ground up \u2014 quite literally!
As Soil Ambassadors in the Algarve for the citizen science ECHO project, we have been using these same 6 soil health tests for this European project which aims to map soil health across Europe!
Learn more about this project and how you can get a soil ECHO kit here.<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
How To Choose The Right Indicators For Soil Health Testing – Mud Valley Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n
ERC Soil Framework\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n