Veg and PH meter (from wilkos) - help please

[gizmo]

Going to grow lots of veg this year, mostly trial and error last year. However, I was advised to test the ph of my soil especially if growing brassicas. Got one from wilkos, but not sure how to read it. Has anyone else got one?

It shows alkaline one end, acid the other, but the dial goes green to red in the 1st of five bits. Where is neutral, what should soil be? What is too acidic?

My soil varies from 1st section of red to 2nd, am mostly clay, but have raised beds.

Anyone please help, any advice welcomed.

[zazen999]

What does it say when you test tap water. That should be neutral.

I've not got one but it is the first thing to look at if the results seem a bit weird.

[mogs]

I bought one of last year from Wilkos (the three long prongs and a little box sat on top, mine never moved anywhere, even when placed in neat vinegar - I just hope it works for you!!

[gizmo]

Ta for idea... water tests as right between where red and green meet, so i suppose this is neutral. Suppose that is 6? How far in to acid can you go before it causes damage? I didn't know clay could be acid, but have mixed in compost and compost bin stuff (some of which did contain fir tree leaf litter).

[gizmo]

Ta for vinegar idea... tried it but it depends how deep the meter is. Was worried to start with as it showed near the green, filled the glass further and it went well in to red?! Really not sure about this, may invest in a lipnus type test - what do you think?

[zazen999]

Ok.

Neutral is 7.

Can you post a pic of the chart - I've not seen it but it might help if people that have used it could see it to explain it.

And clay can and often is acid - as are many soils......

Actually, I've just looked on line so can see it is a dial type thingy. The best pH is 6.5 so that's ideally what you are looking for.

[gizmo]

Thanks for that. So I think what you two have shown me is, the meter is working, and I have slightly to quite acidic soil depending on that part of the garden.

So, now I need to get it down (or up as it is less than 7) . Is lime my only option? or does anything else work. As I said I used to work trial and error, so don't know much...

[zazen999]

Check at least 3 samples; 3 in each area if you have a large garden before you do anything, and list what all the results are - then we can help you to manage your acidity!!!

[gizmo]

okey dokey. Thanks.

Bit dark now - job for another day

[Bigmallly]

I have the same tester & am not sure if you are getting the 2 dials mixed up. The top dial relates to the moisture of the soil so with the switch on "Moist" you will get a reading on the top dial. Now put the switch across to pH and read the bottom dial. Ignore the numbers, they do not relate to the pH. Green is Alkaline, Green/Red is neutral & Red is acidic. It's confusing having the numbers above the moisture dial. You will also notice that the numbers contradict the pH as pH 8 and above is Alkaline but looking at the dial it is on the acidic side of the bottom dial. Hope all of this makes sense. The bottom line is ignore the numbers.

[gizmo]

Ta... so looking at the dial is 7 where the green suddenly changes to red? There is a lot of red. In large marks (as there are no numbers) there is a total of 0-5 , with only 0-1 being green and 1-5 red? What level do i need to worry about?

In some areas the dial stick ends up in the middle, ie straight up...

[Bigmallly]

Sorry for the rubbish picture. This is my reader & it has numbers only above the top dial. I have no idea whatsoever why they are there as they do not mean anything, ignore them. There is no numbers above the pH dial (The bottom one)

[zazen999]

What are the numbers along the top dial?

The moisture content is only really relevant if you have clay soils and are designing foundations.....no idea why they put that on a pH meter.......unless they expect a conversion as the more water then the less accurate the reading [or something].

A proper moisture content has to be done on wet against dry soil anyway........

And that pic is too small to make out anything on the bottom dial.....if there is a wilko anywhere near me tomorrow I might have a butchers.

[Bigmallly]

I know Zaz, I have no idea why there are numbers above the top dial. There is nothing above the bottom dial. I use the moisture setting more for house plants than outside.

[maypril]

What does it say when you test tap water. That should be neutral..

You mean distilled water, surely?

Tap water will be slightly alkaline depending on where you live.