“The soil is one of the essential compartments of the ecosystem, working as a controller and pointer to numerous ecological processes by its physical, chemical and biological processes, in the short term and in the long: ‘Soil should be the best overall reflection of ecosystem processes.’”
Free Soil Quality Toolkit
A simple 1-3 scoring system to assess soil health and track change over time.
Includes the Indicator Guide + Field Evaluation (PDFs).
Delivered instantly.
What You’ll Get
A 1-3 scoring rubric for key biological, physical and chemical soil indicators.
A field evaluation sheet to record scores + evidence consistently
A repeatable framework to identify limiting factors and track progress season-to-season
Best for farmers, gardeners, orchardists, land stewards, and restorationists who want an ecological understanding of their soil.
How It Works
Join the newsletter to receive the toolkit.
Use the Indicator Guide to score each indicator consistently.
Record scores + evidence on the Field Evaluation sheet and repeat each season.
Quick FAQ
Do I need lab tests for this?
No. This toolkit is designed to work with field observations on its own. If you do have lab results, you can use the Chemical (Lab Test) section to summarize and track them alongside your field scores.
How long does it take?
First time: ~20 - 30 minutes. Repeat visits are faster.
Can I use it for multiple sites?
Yes. One sheet per site and date is ideal.
Soil Quality Indicator - Guide (PDF)
Score descriptions (1-3) for each indicator
Notes to support consistent scoring
“Best assessed” timing guidance
Field Soil Evaluation/Record (PDF)
Quick scoring (1-3) per indicator
Evidence/notes field for consistency
Designed for repeat assessments