testing the soil

[Tigerella]

Hi

I have been preparing my new allotment for almost a month. I have seen a few questions about testing the soil.
But how many times would you test it? Do you test each planting bed?
And when it comes round to crop rotation, if different plants like different soil, do you need to try to change the soil every time you move the crop.

Tiger

[Two_Sheds]

That's all way too technical and boring for me. I've never tested my soil, never will (don't like hydrangeas anyway). Everything manages to grow, after a fashion!

[Snadger]

Hi

I have been preparing my new allotment for almost a month. I have seen a few questions about testing the soil.
But how many times would you test it? Do you test each planting bed?
And when it comes round to crop rotation, if different plants like different soil, do you need to try to change the soil every time you move the crop.

Tiger

What I would do is take a core sample from each of your beds, realistically there shouldn't be much difference across your plot! Put the cores all together and mix them up. Dry them and then test as one!

There are various tests for all the main nutrients but most plot holders just test for acidity/alkalinity!
Scale is 1 to 14. No1 is near to sulphuric acid, 7 is neutral and 14 is pure limestone I would imagine!
Depending on your rotation, only lime the brassica plot to eventually take it to 6.5 to 7.5
All other plants, and especially potatoes will be ok at 6 to 6.5.

Ideally, if you test and it comes out at 6.5 you should have the best of both worlds and a small amount of lime could be added to brassica bed (helps to fend off clubroot also)

[SimonCole]

The pH test is the one to go for. As well as what Snadger said, it gives you an idea of the nutrients available: If you have a pH greater than 8 or less than 6 then fewer nutrients tend to be available in the soil and more may need to be applied.

[nick the grief]

Did it have many Docks on it? If the answer is Yes thaen it will probably be on the acid side.

You can buy probes pretty cheap these days and then you can take loads of readings and average them out.

The simple PH test kits for a few quid are OK but if you are doing it properly you should send it off to a lab and tell them your growing veg and they will give you a break down of whats required .... not cheap though.

[Tigerella]

Hi

Thanks for the replies, It has a few docks/nettles growing, it did have hens on part of it so it wasnt too over-run with weeds.
Ive now got a few beds almost ready, about 1/3 of the plot.
Might concentrate a little more on clearing rubbish, burning wood, mending fence and green house.

Tiger