Biological Assessment

You Cannot Improve What You Cannot See.

Most soil and compost problems are invisible to the naked eye. Poor plant performance, slow compost breakdown, persistent disease pressure, and disappointing yields often trace back to imbalances in the soil's living community — too few fungi, too many problem organisms, or a biology that simply isn't there in meaningful numbers.

A biological assessment gives you a clear picture of what is actually happening underground — so you can make decisions based on evidence, not guesswork.

We offer two levels of assessment depending on what you need.

Quick Check — $60

A fast, accessible scan of your sample to confirm which of the main organism groups are present — bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes. No detailed counts, no full report — just a clear, honest answer on whether the biology you are hoping for is actually there.

You will receive a brief email summary of findings after your sample is assessed.

Good For:

• Homeowners and gardeners curious about their soil or compost for the first time
• Anyone who has recently applied biology — castings, extract, compost — and wants to know if it is establishing
• A low-commitment first step before investing in a full diagnostic
• A quick sanity check on a compost batch or worm bin before use

How to Book a Quick Check:

1. Contact us directly via the Contact page or email us at [email protected]
2. Tell us what you want assessed and a brief description of the sample
3. Drop off or mail your sample — we will confirm the address and any handling instructions when you reach out
4. We will invoice you $60 by e-transfer once your sample is received
5. Your email summary will be sent within a defined turnaround window — we will confirm timing when you book

No forms, no scheduling system — just a direct conversation to get your sample in and your questions answered.

Full Biological Assessment — $100

A complete diagnostic of your soil's living community, delivered as a detailed PDF report by email. This is not just a presence or absence check — it is a quantified picture of your soil food web, with measurements and observations that guide real management decisions.

Your Report Includes:

• Total bacterial biomass — are the foundational decomposers present in meaningful numbers?
• Total fungal biomass — critical for nutrient cycling, soil structure, and plant resilience
• Fungi to bacteria ratio — the single most important indicator of whether your soil biology matches your land use and crop type
• Beneficial protozoa counts — flagellates, amoebae, and ciliates that drive the nutrient cycle by grazing on bacteria
• Beneficial nematode counts — fungal and bacterial feeders that cycle nutrients and indicate a functioning food web
• Problem organism indicators — oomycetes, root-feeding nematodes, and other organisms that signal stress, imbalance, or disease risk
• Notes and recommended actions — observations from the assessment and practical next steps based on what your sample shows

We Can Assess:

• Soil — garden beds, lawns, field soil, potting mixes
• Compost — finished or in-progress
• Worm castings
• Compost extracts and teas

Good For:

• Market gardeners and farmers making fertility and amendment decisions
• Compost producers verifying biological quality before use or sale
• Homeowners serious about understanding and improving their soil long-term
• Anyone tracking whether biological inputs are actually working over time
• Thrive Plan lawn clients — two assessments are included to track your lawn's biological progress through the season

How to Book a Full Assessment

1. Schedule your assessment date: Use the link below to view available dates and select your preferred slot.
   → Schedule Your Biological Assessment
   Note: The time shown in your booking is for internal scheduling only. Your sample must be received by 12:00 PM noon on your scheduled date to be included in that day's assessment.
2. Complete payment: Return to this page and add to cart, or send e-transfer to [email protected]. Your booking is not confirmed until payment is received.
3. Receive your sampling instructions: Once payment is confirmed you will receive a Sampling Instructions document and a Sample Submission Form by email.
4. Submit your sample: Ensure your sample arrives by 12:00 PM noon on your scheduled date.
   • Soil and compost samples: Best assessed within 3–5 days of collection. Mail as soon as possible to arrive within that window.
   • Liquid samples (extracts, teas): Must be sent by overnight freight to arrive by noon the day after collection.
   • Local drop-off: Address provided on your Sample Submission Form. A cooler will be at the garage door — place your sample inside and include your completed submission form.

Questions about which assessment is right for you, or how to collect your sample? Reach out through the Contact page — we are happy to help you figure out the right next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have never had a biological assessment before — which one should I start with?

If you are just getting curious about what is in your soil or compost, the Quick Check is the right starting point. It is fast, affordable, and gives you a meaningful first look without overwhelming detail. If you are already making management decisions based on your soil biology — or you want to — the Full Assessment gives you the data to do that properly.

How is this different from a standard soil test?

A standard soil test measures chemistry — nutrients, pH, cation exchange capacity. A biological assessment measures life — the organisms actually present in your soil and whether they are functioning. Chemistry and biology tell different stories. Both matter, but most growers already have access to chemistry testing and very few have ever looked at their biology. This is what fills that gap.

What do I do with the results?

Your Full Assessment report includes a Notes and Recommended Actions section that translates the data into practical next steps specific to your sample. You are not left with a spreadsheet and no context — the report tells you what it means and where to go from here.

Can I track changes over time?

Yes — and this is where assessments become most powerful. Booking assessments before and after applying biology, or at the start and end of a season, gives you a measurable picture of whether your soil is improving. Our Thrive Plan lawn program includes two assessments for exactly this reason.