diff --git a/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading.dm b/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading.dm
index 8d22fc546d..bb9b0e8b30 100644
--- a/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading.dm
+++ b/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading.dm
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
 	var/list/neighbors = list()
 	var/obj/effect/plant/parent
 	var/datum/seed/seed
+	var/sampled = 0
 	var/floor = 0
 	var/spread_chance = 40
 	var/spread_distance = 3
@@ -234,11 +235,18 @@
 	plant_controller.add_plant(src)
 
 	if(istype(W, /obj/item/weapon/wirecutters) || istype(W, /obj/item/weapon/scalpel))
+		if(sampled)
+			user << "<span class='warning'>\The [src] has already been sampled recently.</span>"
+			return
+		if(!is_mature())
+			user << "<span class='warning'>\The [src] is not mature enough to yield a sample yet.</span>"
+			return
 		if(!seed)
-			user << "There is nothing to take a sample from."
+			user << "<span class='warning'>There is nothing to take a sample from.</span>"
 			return
 		seed.harvest(user,0,1)
-		health -= (rand(3,5)*10)
+		health -= (rand(3,5)*5)
+		sampled = 1
 	else
 		..()
 		if(W.force)
diff --git a/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading_growth.dm b/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading_growth.dm
index 716d58c645..32ca7ed33e 100644
--- a/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading_growth.dm
+++ b/code/modules/hydroponics/spreading/spreading_growth.dm
@@ -69,6 +69,12 @@
 		last_tick = world.time
 		update_neighbors()
 
+	if(sampled)
+		//Should be between 2-7 for given the default range of values for TRAIT_PRODUCTION
+		var/chance = max(1, round(30/seed.get_trait(TRAIT_PRODUCTION)))
+		if(prob(chance))
+			sampled = 0
+
 	if(is_mature() && neighbors.len && prob(spread_chance))
 		//spread to 1-3 adjacent turfs depending on yield trait.
 		var/max_spread = between(1, round(seed.get_trait(TRAIT_YIELD)*3/14), 3)