Have any of you used a Pool Kit to test your Soil PH?
ilovemytrees
9 years ago
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years agoRyanStorm
9 years agoRelated Discussions
pH test kit/strips recommendation
Comments (11)That was my first thought -- that my water was very hard, and that it was going to take a LOT of vinegar to get it to the right pH. At that point, I began considering a stronger acid. In the meantime, I decided to go with a 1/4 cup of vinegar per gallon in the hope that this would be good enough. Soon thereafter, I began noticing chlorotic leaves on some rabbiteyes, and then it expanded to several highbush cultivars, as well. For a few reasons, this didn't make sense as high pH induced, and I began to wonder if I had the opposite problem. So I bought the General Hydroponics kit, tested my irrigation water (with fertilizer and 1/4 cup of vinegar per gallon), and discovered that the pH was below 4. I dialed back the vinegar until the color was in the 5.5 range, which turned out to be a ratio of approximately 1/2 to 3/4 tbsp of vinegar per gallon of water. I've been watering at that rate for several weeks now, and the formerly chlorotic leaves are greening up nicely. There might be another factor at play, but, at this point, I'm trusting the General Hydroponics reading....See MorePH Soil Test Kits
Comments (10)The "soil Test" kits sold in most garden centers are very unreliable and I have found, as have many other people, that the pH test often gives you the same pH reading with vinegar and baking soda as your garden soil. For good soil tests contact your local office of the University of Kentucky USDA Cooperative Extension Service and have them do it. Current cost in Michigan for a soil test done by Michigan State University School of Agriculture is $12.00 per sample and you get much more information ahbout your soil. While waiting for those results dig in with these simple soil tests to learn more about the soil (clay is a soil type and there are many different types of clay) you have: 1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer you soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. Here is a link that might be useful: University of Kentucky CES...See Moreusing the rapitest soil test kit?
Comments (10)Your University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service no longer provides soil testing, although they do have a list of labs that will. Get a good soil test done. That "soil specialist" at that nursery is suspect because of his statement that the fertilizer you were using was not working properly and he had another one that would, without looking at the plants or doing a soil test. You need a good reliable soil test to determine what, if anything, needs to be done. These simple soil tests may also help. 1) Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drainsâ too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. Here is a link that might be useful: UI CES...See Morereliable home ph test kit?
Comments (4)My experience with any "soil pH meter" meant for home use is that they are not reliable. Tests comparing them with a soil sample, a sample of Vinegar, and a sample of a baking soda solution more often than not would give a pH reading in the 6.4 to 6.8 reading no matter which substance you tested, and they should not....See Morejbraun_gw
9 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years agokrnuttle
9 years agoeggmansky
9 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
Victoria P
2 years ago
violetsnapdragon
3 months agolast modified: 3 months agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 months agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 months ago
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