A follow-up analysis is recommended 4–8 weeks after making changes to your soil or compost system. This allows time for the soil biology to respond and establish.

Follow-up testing is especially useful after:

• Applying compost or worm castings
• Starting a compost tea or extract program
• Adding mulch or organic matter
• Transitioning to regenerative or biological growing practices
• Correcting fungal-to-bacterial balance

Monitoring your soil biology over time helps confirm that beneficial microorganisms are increasing and that your soil ecosystem is moving in the right direction.

At DNS Farm on Salt Spring Island, samples are examined under the microscope to reveal the microorganisms responsible for healthy soil, nutrient cycling, and resilient plant growth. This professional biological analysis helps growers understand the life beneath their soil and make informed decisions to improve soil health.

What We Analyze

Using professional microscopy, we evaluate the key organisms that drive soil health:

• Bacteria populations
• Fungal hyphae and fungal spores
• Protozoa activity
• Beneficial nematode
• Organic matter structure
• Overall soil food web balance

PLUS:

• Fungal/Bacteria ratio
• PH
• NPK
• General oxygen indiators
• Electrical Conductivity
• Microbial Biomass Range
• Microbial Biomass Carbon
• Microbial Biomass Nitrogen 

Why Soil Biology Matters

Healthy soil is a living ecosystem. When soil biology is balanced, it helps:

• Improve nutrient cycling
• Strengthen plant health and resilience
• Increase soil structure and water retention
• Build long-term soil fertility
• Reduce dependence on fertilizers

Understanding the biology in your soil or compost allows you to manage your growing system more effectively.

What You Receive

Each analysis includes:

• Microscopic biological assessment
• Summary of organisms present
• Interpretation of biological balance
• Recommendations to improve soil health

Microscope images or video of your sample are available upon request.

How It Works

1. Purchase the analysis.
2. Send a small sample of your soil, compost, or biological input.
3. Your sample is examined under the microscope at DNS Farm.
4. Receive your biological analysis and interpretation.

DNS Farm — Regenerative Soil Biology Service

Helping growers understand the living world beneath their soil.

How to take a sample for analysis:

This gives a real-time view of the living biology in your soil, compost, or tea and what it means for plant performance.

What You’ll Need 

• A clean trowel, small shovel, or soil probe 
• A clean plastic bag or container (not metal) 
• A permanent marker to label the sample 
• Optional: gloves to keep things clean

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Step-by-Step Sampling Instructions

1️⃣ Choose Your Sampling Area Select the spot you want tested — garden bed, lawn, field, compost pile, or worm bin. If you have multiple areas, take separate samples for each.

2️⃣ Remove Surface Material Brush aside mulch, grass clippings, or debris to expose the bare soil.

3️⃣ Take a Sample Dig down about 4–6 inches deep (or to root depth if known). Scoop out a handful of soil. If testing a larger area, take 3–5 small scoops from different spots and mix them together in a clean container to get an average sample.

4️⃣ Prepare Your Sample Place about 1/2 cup (250 ml) of the mixed soil into a clean, resealable plastic bag or container. Do not use metal tools or containers, as they may affect biological readings.

5️⃣ Label It Clearly Provide the following information: Name: Email: Date: Date collected: Sample location: Sample type (soil, compost, worm castings, extract, tea, ect.): Recent inputs (compost, fertilizer, extract, worm castings, tea, etc.): If sending multiple samples, make sure each one is clearly marked.

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Important Notes • Send your sample quickly — within 24–48 hours of collection — to preserve microbial activity.

• Contact us prior to sending so we can watch for sample or possible pick-up. • Don’t sample wet soil. Let it drain slightly if it’s waterlogged, but don’t dry it out completely. 
• Avoid sampling immediately after applying compost tea, fertilizer, pesticides, or heavy irrigation — this can skew results. 
• Time of day and season matter — early morning best. 

You can mail your sample directly to us, or if you’re local, we may be able to arrange a pick-up depending on your location.

Soil biology changes with weather, inputs, and plant activity. For the best insight into your soil’s health and progress, we recommend follow-up analysis.

Have questions?   Don't hesitate to contact us.