soilSHOP at Douglas SWCD

Bring a soil sample in a Ziplock plastic bag and we will screen it for lead!

Date: September 15-16, 2026

Location: Doulgas SWCD Office

900 Robert St. Suite 102. Alexandria,  MN 56308

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Before Hours drop off box available as well)

Our partners will be there to share information on:

• Free lead screening of your soil
• How to lower exposure to lead if your soil has lead in it
• Best garden practices
• Lead and health

Please see sample collection instructions and information on the back.                                                                                 For more information

Minnesota Department of Health | Site Assessment and Consultation Unit
625 Robert Street N. | PO Box 64975 | Saint Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-4897 | 800-657-3908 (toll-free) | health.hazard@state.mn.us

To obtain this information in a different format, call: 651-201-4897

Collecting a single soil sample

Step 1

Identify an area of interest for your soil sample.

Step 2

Collect soil – For a large area, collect soil from 5-10 random spots in that area, and combine it in a clean container. For a small area, collect soil from 3 random spots and combine it in a clean container. (See table below for sampling depth per spot.)

Step 3

Mix soil well in clean container.

Step 4

Remove pebbles, rocks, and roots, and air dry. Do not use a flame, oven or hairdryer to dry the soil!

Step 5

Transfer 1 – 2 cups of the mixed soil into a clean one-quart plastic bag.

Note: For more than one sample, repeat steps 1-5. Rinse your container between samples. Limit of 3 sample bags / person.