soil testing kits

[jps]

as i am very very new to this whole gyo thing i was wondering about getting a basic soil testing kit to see how acidic or otherwise our soil is.

there seems to be a few different kits out there but i wondered if anyone had found a good one at a cheap price.

thanks

[Jamesy_uk]

There are lots of kits etc but if you want a really simple one buy some litmus paper and grind up some dirt and add it to water in a container and dip in the paper...... thats a very very basic test but will give you an idea and very cheap.

[oldie]

Ideally use distilled water. Your tap water may be alkaline and will distort the result.

[Kleftiwallah]

Dont forget, the test will only tell you what type of soil you have in that location. It may be different a foot away. It may be an idea to make a scale plan of your garden, take tests from various areas and mark the results on the plan. It may help you decide where to plant this or that. Cheers, Tony.

[VirginVegGrower]

Testers in Aldi or Lidl this week - forget which. They are the probe type.

[scarletrunner]

Testers in Aldi or Lidl this week - forget which. They are the probe type.

Cheap probe types are very inaccurate.

[VirginVegGrower]

Cheap probe types are very inaccurate.

I find mine to be more than adequate thank you.

[Two_Sheds]

You can use weeds/plants as an indicator

I've never tested my soil's pH, but I know it's on the alkaline side because my spuds get scab, brassicas do well (wild brassica weeds are everywhere) but azaleas & rhodies are virtually unknown over here. Our water furs up the kettle.

http://homestead.org/DianaBarker/Loo...Indicators.htm

[Snadger]

To some extent, you can tell by the growth charectaristics of existing plants roughly whether your soil is acid or alkaline.
Scabby tatties usually indicate an alkaline soil whereas clean ones tend to grow on acid soil. Brasicas growing well would also hint at alkaline soil, whereas stunted growth would indicate acidity. Weeds also generally prefer alkalinity apart from plantain and a few others.
If your blueberry snuffs it its probably because of soil alkalinity.
Addition of animal manure can acidify soil or by adding chemicals like Sulphate of Ammonia whereas adding spent mushroom compost,superphosphate, lime or wood ash can raise alkalinity

[Snadger]

You can use weeds/plants as an indicator

I've never tested my soil's pH, but I know it's on the alkaline side because my spuds get scab, brassicas do well but azaleas & rhodies are virtually unknown over here.

Great minds!

I've never tested my allotment soil either even though I have sofisticated testing apparatus at my disposal if i so wish.

[Two_Sheds]

Oh Snadge you just reminded me. I made a very bad video this week, but it has a dedication to you at the end: green manure, phacelia - YouTube

[Florence Fennel]

Mmm, I've never tested mine, wonder if I should? Could be a real eye-opener I suppose.

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks TS, I can see the merits and I'll be giving that a try at the end of the season.

[oldie]

I find mine to be more than adequate thank you.

Mine said a lemon was alkaline so I don't bother with it.

[scarletrunner]

Testers in Aldi or Lidl this week - forget which. They are the probe type.

You must be one of the lucky ones,mine and several other gardening colleagues probes,read the same in vinegar as in water!