A procedure is proposed for measuring nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in intact soil cores. The method relies on ion exchange resins to trap ammonium and nitrate entering and leaving cores of soil otherwise open at the top and bottom. Changes in soil concentrations plus an accounting of ions trapped by the lower resin after field incubations, indicate rates of nitrogen reactions. Using this technique, we estimated net ammonification rates from 0–36 mg N/kg/mo and nitrification rates from 0–16 mg N/kg/mo for the surface of a sandy, low nutrient soil under pine cultivation in north Florida; higher rates occurred after urea fertilization. The procedure has potential advantages over others, but must be more fully evaluated under a variety of conditions.