Guidance: Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS)

1. Locate your chosen sample site: If you have done the test previously, use the GPS mapping feature on Soilmentor to find the same spot.
2. Dig: Dig out 3 sides of a square as wide as your spade, going down by around 20cm (if possible).
3. Remove soil: Lever the soil block out of the ground (leaving one side undisturbed by the spade), and place on tray/bin bag.
4. Take a photo: Take a photo of the undisturbed side of the block.
5. Identify and measure top layer: Look for a difference in colour and consistency of the soil, near the surface. This is the top (turf) layer of the soil – measure the depth and record in Soilmentor.
6. Break the top layer apart: Looking just at the top layer of soil, begin to break it down gently in your fingers until you have clumps of soil about 1.5-2cm in your hand. Follow the VESS scoring guidelines (separate sheet) and record results in the app.
7. Measure and break bottom layer apart: Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the bottom layer of soil.

Results uploaded to Soilmentor should include:

1. VESS depth (top)
2. VESS score (top)
3. VESS depth (bottom)
4. VESS depth (bottom)
5. Photos

Don’t forget to take photos of you doing your soil sampling and of the results!

Photo/video credits: Vidacycle