Soil Testing Kit

[andyturner1978]

Hello

I have been looking online at soil testing kits. I have had some success growing the last six months but this is certainly down to luck. I have just grown seeds at home in pots before putting them in the ground at the allotment.

I have not really looked at ensuring the soil PH is appropriate or even what i should be feeding each crop. I just wanted to get some bits going while i worked on tidying up the plot. Peas, broad beans, runner beans and onions were all great.

Pumpkins and Butternut squash both grew but were small, my guess is incorrect feeding and soil preparation as they just went in and were watered.

With so many soil testing kits on the market are there any that come recommended? i mean they vary from £4 to over £75, I know you tend to get what you pay for but wondered if anyone had any success with an inexpensive kit?

Thanks

Andy

[carly]

I have a cheap ph/ moisture tester from amazon.... 5 pound and works a treat.

[ESBkevin]

One of the small modest priced kits will be fine. It gives a basic indication. Once you start mulching, composting and fertilising it changes a little anyway. Some lime before cabbage/greens is generally a good idea. Remember a good (acid) rain might change the reading as much as anything. One thing is certain, heavy composting and mulching allows the soil to sort itself out in terms of acidity to an extent and can save you paying lots of cash for soil amendments as well as the added benefits of better soil texture and life.

[It never rains..it pours]

I went down this road, 18 months odd ago. Spent £20 total on 3 types a low cost liquid tester, low cost electronic meter one, and a double prong 3in1 type. The former two both give similar readings, however the double prong was a load of junk imo. One thing did find is with the liquid one was the colors look quite similar between 5.5 to 6.5 or Im going color blind. Electronic ones should supply or need a buffer to check the meter is calibrated right
With hindsight think it was worthwhile excercise to get some history, as it appears the previous owner limed some bits as get 5.0/5.5 to 7.0/7.5 on various beds. The higher ones are bit of a giveaway as with some looking can see the odd chalk lump, the 5.0/5.5 is the natural for the clay here I think
It helped decide where to put the asparagus and where to put the blueberry

Below is the 2 that I got for info, seem dearer now so probably better deals about

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soil-pH-T...-/331943648517

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-W...-/331852933459

[veggiechicken]

I had 3 of those double prong ones (don't ask). When put in the same pot of soil they all gave different readings. Rubbish!!

[Jungle Jane]

Ive never tested to see what my soil ph is. Yours sounds fine,pumpkins & squash are heavy feeders they're such big plants,blood fish & bone is a good slow release fertiliser for the soil & tomato feed for high potassium for all fruits.

[ESBkevin]

iirc the prongy type testers need to be used with your soil sample in a suspended solution made with distilled water for best effect. Tap water (and to a lesser degree rain water) will impart it's own acidic values into the equation. perhaps an expert can give a better more acurate picture.
So all of these tests are general indicators only and not absolute gospel. That said looking at the type of weeds that are prevelent in the soil and a cheap test kit will point you in the right area to avoid the worst mistakes like putting Blueberries in the wrong location/situation. Don't get too hung up on it and use lots of organic mulch/compost to allow the soil to neutralise itself somewhat.

[It never rains..it pours]

Heres a pic (not very good sorry) of the 4 tests Ive done this winter. Left is the natural clay here pre work about 5.0 . Two middle ones are new beds have made, mixture of soil, compost, manure, washed sharp sand, gypsum and lime about 6.5 . The right is the bed that was here before my time and previous owner limed about 7.5+

[4Shoes]

I've been using this type of kit.

Works well. also had PH paper for beer making, and so tested some soil with that. Not so conclusive but for s finder in the air would give you an idea.

Not bought from here... just similar

https://www.primrose.co.uk/botanico-...t-p-48654.html

[nickdub]

Of course its a matter of personal preference, but unless you intend to grow something like rhododendrons which have very specific soil requirements, I'd advise spending the money on something-else. Most garden soil can be made more fertile by the application of manure and/or compost and that's where the big pay back is.

Aside from that its a matter of growing things you like, with a trade off against stuff which will do OK with your weather.

Of course some plants eg most soft fruit like more acid conditions than a lot of veg will prefer, but there is quite a bit of info about this which is readily available, and really getting other stuff right like seed sowing and cultivation techniques will generally give better returns on time and effort than all the soil testing in the world.

One other tip - a lot can be told from what grows naturally well in your area, both weeds and cultivated crops - nettles for example are a sign of quite fertile soil and one which people have done stuff to in the past.

[4Shoes]

Of course its a matter of personal preference, but unless you intend to grow something like rhododendrons which have very specific soil requirements, I'd advise spending the money on something-else. Most garden soil can be made more fertile by the application of manure and/or compost and that's where the big pay back is.

Aside from that its a matter of growing things you like, with a trade off against stuff which will do OK with your weather.

Of course some plants eg most soft fruit like more acid conditions than a lot of veg will prefer, but there is quite a bit of info about this which is readily available, and really getting other stuff right like seed sowing and cultivation techniques will generally give better returns on time and effort than all the soil testing in the world.

One other tip - a lot can be told from what grows naturally well in your area, both weeds and cultivated crops - nettles for example are a sign of quite fertile soil and one which people have done stuff to in the past.

Would agree in many cases. I have a half acre of grass that has not been cut for years with docks, thistles and plants I'd last on orra ground. Dug down 6" to 8" - then shale. Need a bit more information. So yes, you can tell at high level.

After testing, it did badly need lime and it still needs more fibre and structure. But pleasantly surprised on recovery. Worm count is well up after 1st year.

A case where I think it was worth testing.

[nickdub]

Yes the size of the plot you describe also makes a difference - the cost of a few tests when related to half an acre look a lot more of a bargain, than the same costs put against an average suburban garden.

Generalizing a lot, I'd say if you plan to grow mainly veg and if the ground you are working is not chalk based, then a dose of lime will generally do some good.