skip to main content

Soil, Compost & Mulch

Science experiment coming up - need your input...

16 years ago

Need your input in regards to tools to measure the acidity levels in the soil.

My daughter has to do a science project and has decided to take soil samples from our property, some from the woodlands, some from the meadow, others from the gardens, etc.

I can't seem to find some cheap lithmus paper (I think this is the stuff that measures acidity), but have stumbled upon a local garden center which sells these probes which measure the PH in the soil. Below is a link to it.

Anyone ever use these things? Your thoughts?

Here is a link that might be useful: PH soil tester

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

roundpeg
16 years ago
You might want to call some drugstores for litmus paper, or maybe a fish supply store.
kqcrna
16 years ago
If you know a chemist they might be able to direct you to litmus paper. My husband's company makes chemical products and he got me some from one of the chemists.

Or, drugstores should carry some type. They are used for urine tests, but if you buy the strips with the full spectrum for sugar, blood, etc they can be expensive.

Karen
Related Discussions
Science fair worm experiment
Q
Comments (5)
I think just the plain bedding is a good test too. Of course you would want to use the exact same amount of bedding for each bin. Another good and easy form of measurement may simply be appearance. Some bins may look more broken down and worked over than others. Maybe a digital photo of the previous feeding area right before you feed again; or photos once per week? You may consider weighing food samples rather than measuring by volume because of difference in densities with bread being the least dense. I'm not sure how you would handle the differences in water amounts between food unless you dehydrated everything or froze/ strained it. For example, 1 oz. of coffee grounds might have a lot more food value than 1 oz. of apple. OK just thought of something. Add foods at a controlled weight in their natural form. On a side note - dehydrate one sample of each and reweigh so you can report what % of water each food is. Then when running the bins, be prepared to add a controlled amount of dry bedding and/or water to maintain proper moisture levels. You might find that the apple and squash tests need dry bedding where the bread one doesn't. Keep us updated!
...See More
Need your input on correct primer for my peeling paint.
Q
Comments (1)
Try asking over at the paint forum~ Not much traffic here. Here is a link that might be useful: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/paint/
...See More
please, I need your input...What watts are the bulbs in your rece
Q
Comments (12)
Bob, figuring out the best lighting for our kitchen was one of the harder decisions I faced. In retrospect I wish I'd put in more cans, and spaced them more closely for more even light. The amount of light from each bulb is plenty (75 watts) but there isn't enough overlap. Our ceiling is 8' 7" high, and the room is 13.5' x 19'. We put in nine 6" recessed fixtures, one small, lower wattage recessed accent light, and two pendants over the island (I haven't yet figured out the best bulbs for these yet.) Eight of the recessed lights have 75 watt halogen bulbs, and one has a rather dim CF in it. The accent bulb doesn't add that much general light. I don't have any of them on a dimmer because there's barely enough light as it is. Above the sink area (a 12' long run of cabinets) there are 4 in a row, about 2.5' to 3' apart. This is the only part of the kitchen that is very well lit. In the rest of the room I only put one above each cabinet. This gives enough light to see into the cabinets and work at the counters. But even when all the lights are on, the general room lighting is a little annoying to me. This is because it's so directional (focused down) and there isn't enough ambient light. It's a little hard on my eyes. It would be better if there were more fixtures, closer together. That way the cones of light overlap and you don't get the dark patches between them. An ambient fixture that lit up the whole room might also work. I'd say follow the guidelines to make sure the cones of light overlap. Someone told me not to listen to lighting store people or electricians b/c they'd over-recommend the number of fixtures needed. That was a mistake, I should have gone with more lights, and not try to save money by installing a minimal number. Good luck!
...See More
I'd love your input. Of these- which need support & which don't?
Q
Comments (12)
In my PNW garden these roses grew well. Bouquet Parfait...nice big shrub Prosperity...threw tall canes which then bend right over Blush Noisette....another tall bush which will flop Abraham Darby.....big, tall bush but could stand alone Dark Desire...those thick canes will never need help. Cream Veranda...makes a medium sized bush Polar Express...another medium sized bush Young Lycidas....he can stand alone, big bush Kosmos Fairy Tale...a flopper but staking won't help Crown Princess Margaretta...more tall canes which could use a stake Mme Issac Periere....she stands alone but some canes need tying in Jubilee Celebration...no problems with this one Jude the Obscure....he needed help to look tidy Pat Austin...she liked to lay her head in the mud so she needs help. I have grown roses on a chainlink fence and I found that I had to plant them at least five feet away from the fence or the canes got twisted when they stuck in the chain link mesh. I pruned the back of the bushes to keep them growing straight the first year. I also kept an eye out the first couple of years to make sure they were not getting into a pretzel shape. Those roses such as Crown Princess, Abraham, Prosperity all need some of the front canes to be tied back. This will make a more attractive hedge instead of roses fighting with each other. Also if you have anything called snow, it won't break down and damage the bushes. Make sure you clean out any thin or frail looking growth at the base, you will need some clearance to fertilize or weed them. I am assuming that you aren't into having your skin shredded and stabbed by rose canes. It certainly will look very attractive in a few years time.
...See More
gonefishin
16 years ago
Or, a google search for Litmus paper will turn up a whole slew of sources similar to this.

Bill P.
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
16 years ago
Curious about a couple of things. Why litmus paper? It will not indicate much will it? Most soils should just give a purple color. It changes blue about 4.5 and red about 8.3 doesn't it?

The school should have a glass container and filter paper (A tall kitchen glass and some good coffee filter might work). Put some soil in the cylinder with distilled water and shake it up. Filter it. Stick a cheap borrowed meter in the filtrate. That is about as good as you would get, I should expect.
blutranes
16 years ago
I found a link awhile back that may be just what you are looking for. The page may be incorporated into the project in some way. I do trust this helps in some manner...

Blutranes

Here is a link that might be useful: Frugal Soil Test
Kimmsr
16 years ago
Most all pharmacies sell litmus paper and which you get will determine what your results show. Litmus paper comes in ranges, fairly narrow ranges and while at that pharmacy pick up some distilled water to use, tap water is not what you want for pH readings.
The simple test in the link blutranes provided will show whether a soil is acidic or alkaline but not how much or why, but then the litmus papers won't show the why either.
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
16 years ago
Another 'just curious' question. Are people now calling pHydrion** paper "litmus paper"? If so that would be one way to go.

**This is a link to how one could use the pHydron paper with the filtrate I have described above. Litmus was once just some red and blue paper that changed color at pH of ~4 and ~8.
Kimmsr
16 years ago
albert, same stuff, brand name of one manufacturer.
tiffy_z5_6_can
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone. I had planned on going to purchase these things with my DD, but DH took her out today and bought the probe and some Lithmus paper from the garden center. Purchase having been made, we'll see how both do.

Related Stories

FARM YOUR YARD 9 Ways to Change Up Your Vegetable Garden for the Coming Season

By Annie Thornton

Try something new for edible plantings that are more productive than ever

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Art and Science Room Proves Grandmas Are the Best

By Mitchell Parker

This grandmother transformed her garage into a science and art classroom where messes are encouraged every day

Science Meets Design

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Add Your Favorite Course of Study to Your Favorite Room

THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Experience Your New Home — Before You Build It

By Dylan Chappell Architects

Photorealistic renderings can give you a clearer picture of the house you're planning before you take the leap

HOME TECH Coming Soon: Furniture That Charges Your Phone

Countertops, tables and home appliances with wireless charging capability mean less clutter — and zero effort powering your phone

MOST POPULAR Overnight Guests Coming? How to Be a Great Host

By Laura Gaskill

Ensure a good time for all — including yourself — by following these steps for preparing for and hosting houseguests

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Ideas Coming to a Kitchen Near You

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

2012 kitchen updates: Tall, solid-surface backsplashes, smarter storage, handy task stations and sheen instead of shine

TASTEMAKERS Sneak Peek: 10 Visionary Designs That Could Be Coming Your Way

By Holly Marder

Trust the next generation of designers to think ahead — these promising products from the imm Cologne trade fair take innovation to heart

HOME TECH Coming Soon: Turn Your Kitchen Counter Into a Touch Screen

Discover how touch projection technology might turn your tables and countertops into iPad-like devices — and sooner than you think

MOST POPULAR A Magical Tree House Lights Up for Christmas

By Sarah Greenman

From the Most Popular file: An incredible tree house takes things up a notch for the holidays. See how it came to be

More Discussions

Compost scrap storage for new kitchen?

14

how do I start a worm bin with only a cup of red wigglers?

7

fabaceae ? Bituminaria bituminosa

0

Is hairy vetch (cover crop) invasive in lawns?

3

Wood chip mulch and nitrogen

4