How do we collect soil samples for soil moisture measurement?
Using a digging tool such as a garden trowel, collect two samples at two different depths: from the ground surface to 5 cm depth, and from 8 to 12 cm depth. For each sample, collect enough soil to fill half of an 8 ounce cup. Place each sample into a foil pouch or a tin can with a snug-fitting lid and then seal your sample in a zip-loc-type plastic bag to prevent evaporative moisture loss. Each sample needs a unique identification label that includes the location, date and time the sample was taken. By noting adjacent roads, or approximate distances to adjacent roads, the location can be converted to latitude and longitude from maps.
