A simple accurate method of preparing soil samples for analyses of soluble and exchangeable ions is presented. A suspension is prepared from soil samples that have been taken on a volume basis and the concentration of a nutrient in the solution phase of this suspension is determined (concentration c1). An amount of water equal to the volume of soil is then added to the suspension and the concentration of the nutrient is again determined (concentration c2). The concentration of the nutrient in the soil is then c=c1c2/(c1‐c2) on a volume‐basis. Provided that it is feasible to take volume samples and that adequate quick‐tests are available, the management of fertility could be greatly improved by this method.