NPK Soil Test Kits
behlgarden
12 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
Kimmsr
12 years agoRelated Discussions
Soil Test Kit Online
Comments (6)"Organic Matter" on the test has absolutely nothing to do with the presence or absence of life in the soil. It is a simple measurement of how much Carbon material from decaying/decayed grass/leaves/peatmoss/etc is there. It is derived by heating the soil to the point where any organic material burns off, and measuring the loss of weight from that. I read/offer recommendations on hundreds of soil tests a year. The best lab IMO is Logan Labs, with UMASS as a pretty good backup. Turnaround time is better at Logan, and getting someone to answer a question is way easier....See Moresoil test questions (OM, N/P/K) from my Extension report
Comments (2)Optimum levels of organic matter in solils is btween 5 and 8 percent, so while not quite there you are getting close. Soil pH, for most plants, is in the 6.2 to 7.0 range, so while a bit low yours is okay. Nutrients you want in balance, not too much of one and too little of another which is where the problem lies. Nutrient imbalances create more problems then they solve. Nitrogen is dependant on soil warmth, bacterial activity. When soils are cool and there is little bacterial activity there is not much N available, but as soils warm, and the bacteria become more active more N is available to the plants. Nitrogen sources with readily available N, soluble types, can make it look like there is ample N in the soil but that will also wash out of the soil quickly with excess water and is the source of nitrate pollution of ground water....See MoreHave any of you used a Pool Kit to test your Soil PH?
Comments (12)RyanStorm- Now I know how you got your 7.0 pH result. Sorry to say, but you wasted 10 bucks. That meter will never give accurate results. I have read dozens of people over the years who were mislead by those pieces of carp. It doesn't matter who is the manufacturer. ( I've tested them myself, and they are way off.) And wasted a lot more than 10 bucks making mistakes amending their soil and planting the wrong plants. There ought to be a law.... I was highly suspect of 7.0, just thought you had an accurate test done. Most of the state of Utah has soils with a pH of 7.8 or more. If you want accurate results, send a sample to a lab or two. To the Rest of Tree Peeps- I have tried the pool thingy and it was actually quite accurate, using distilled water. However, I'm not here to endorse them. But they are a much better tool than the probe meters. Like my hero, Ronaldus Magnus, said, "trust, but verify", which is also the case with pool pH meters. And they're cheap. Measuring the pH of a soil is in actuality, measuring the pH of the water in the soil, not the soil itself. M...See Moresoil test kits
Comments (1)Larry, I am not an expert on home soil test kits, but they have a reputation among hard-core, serious gardeners of being highly variable in their results and unreliable as well. I probably wouldn't spend the money on one, but instead would have a professional soil test done through OSU. One problem with soil test kits is that many people use them when the soil is still cold (clearly not an issue right now) and that can skew the results. Also, a lot of people don't bother to buy and use distilled water, and just use tap water, which can give incorrect results as well. The little home soil test kits you see in stores probably give fairly accurate pH results, but I wouldn't necessarily put my faith in their N-P-K testing. If you do have your soil tested through a university soil lab, you get a report back with recommendations on what to do to fix the "problems" found by the test. I believe you generally contact your county agriculture extension agent to get the materials to send in your soil sample. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: OSU Soil Lab...See Morebpohlman
12 years agoKimmsr
12 years agobi11me
12 years agobehlgarden
12 years agogunnersm8
12 years agoKimmsr
12 years agoMichael
12 years agoorganic_popeye
12 years agoKimmsr
12 years agofortyonenorth
12 years agodremann
9 years agoKimmsr
9 years agotoxcrusadr
9 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGrow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil
Got alkaline soil? Learn how to manage it and the many beautiful plants that will thrive in this ‘sweet’ soil
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESThe Poop Scoop: Enrich Your Soil With Good Old Manure
Get over the ick factor already — this natural super-ingredient for soil has so many benefits, you'll wonder why you ever went chemical
Full StoryHEALTHY HOMEGet the Lead Out: Lead Safety at Home
Keep your family safe by properly testing for and dealing with lead in old painted surfaces, water and soil
Full StoryHEALTHY HOMEWhat's the Deal With Radon?
Get the facts on testing for this cancer-causing gas — and how to make your home safe if it shows up
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESCommon Myths That May Be Hurting Your Garden
Discover the truth about fertilizer, soil, staking and more to keep your plants healthy and happy
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Prep Your Ground for a Healthy New Lawn
Seed or sod that falls on weedy, lumpy soil is a wasted effort. Follow these steps to ensure that your new lawn will thrive
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGet on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGExtend Your Growing Season With a Cold Frame in the Garden
If the sun's shining, it might be time to sow seeds under glass to transplant or harvest
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSouthern California Gardener's September Checklist
Before prime planting time, clean out the old garden, prepare for the new, and dream up ideas for fall flowers and veggies
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNDesign Workshop: How to Analyze Your Outdoor Site
Getting to know your site is the first step to creating a wonderful garden. Follow this 10-point checklist to get it right
Full Story
ifraser25