Pop Quiz Re: Soil Tests

[Capt. Blye]

Do the soil test kits sold across the country for roughly $20 give an accurate PH reading? Do the Macro Nutrient tests work?
Thanks to all.

 

[jefflovstrom]

They have for me. Just get multiple sample's and not just one or two.
Jeff :msp_smile:

 

[ATH]

Use distilled water. Tap water generally starts with a high pH.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Use distilled water. Tap water generally starts with a high pH.

Got me there! Yeah, or you can boil water and let it cool and use that if the store is too far away!
Jeff :msp_thumbsup:

 

[lxt]

I have the soil test probe/gauge, its an old unit & I havent seen one anywhere, you just put the probe unit in the ground & it gives you the reading acidic/alkaline & even has a book on how to nuetralize & vice versa.............great tool



LXT.............

 

[beastmaster]

I took a Soil Science class a few semesters ago, and one of our assignments was to do a soil test 1st with a La Mott(sp?)test kit and then with the same batch of soil we sent it off to the lab to be tested.
While the Lab's was why more detailed,and covered a broader range of things, the test kit was accurate with its High,Med.,Low range and the PH was pretty close. I have been meaning to buy one of the kits good for over a hunderd tests at around 90.00 I think.
That Class opened my eyes on the importance of soil. If you don't know your soil profile your just guessing at everything and can't really give an honest consult on a site.
Not all those test are accurate thou. La Mott is one of the best. Sending a sample to a lab isn't really that expensive.(more then a test kit by far)Beastmaster

 

[ATH]

.......If you don't know your soil profile your just guessing at everything and can't really give an honest consult on a site.

Absolutely.

Not all those test are accurate thou. La Mott is one of the best. Sending a sample to a lab isn't really that expensive.(more then a test kit by far)Beastmaster

Thanks for the name...I have used some cheapies, and have not been convinced. I see both Ben Meadows and Forestry Suppliers have La Motte test kits. Most a quite a bit more than $90 for 100 tests. There is one for $90 that does:
*60 tests for pH
*30 for nitrogen
*40 for phosphorus
*30 for potassium
... so that is about $3 per "sample" (assuming I'd use all 4 on every sample meaning I need to replace supplies after 30 tests). There are others that do offer more complete results for about $10 per test.

I send my samples to Spectrum Analytic. Once you are in their system as a contractor, I think they charge about $15 depending on which test you want - shipping is around $5.

I normally just charge what I have invested in the testing, not trying to make money off of the test. I just want to let the client know that we want the best information before making decisions.

 

[ATH]

The one thing I have nout found is a really good resource telling me, by species (or even genus if that is all that is available), what a good soil nutrient profile should look like. Does anybody know of a book that does this well. Obviously, there are generalities, but the more specific we can be, the better for the trees!

 

[Capt. Blye]

Absolutely.


Thanks for the name...I have used some cheapies, and have not been convinced. I see both Ben Meadows and Forestry Suppliers have La Motte test kits. Most a quite a bit more than $90 for 100 tests. There is one for $90 that does:
*60 tests for pH
*30 for nitrogen
*40 for phosphorus
*30 for potassium
... so that is about $3 per "sample" (assuming I'd use all 4 on every sample meaning I need to replace supplies after 30 tests). There are others that do offer more complete results for about $10 per test.

I send my samples to Spectrum Analytic. Once you are in their system as a contractor, I think they charge about $15 depending on which test you want - shipping is around $5.

I normally just charge what I have invested in the testing, not trying to make money off of the test. I just want to let the client know that we want the best information before making decisions.

I think my customers are to lazy to send samples to the lab. I've mentioned this several times before and explained in detail what they should do but I get the "Isn't that your job" look. So, I'm going to commit to figuring this lab tech stuff out and charge for it when apllicable. It's important I get it right obviously so I will need a reputable "kit" name if I'm to charge anything.

Good point on the gennus specific nutrition needs. Where is this chart? Perhaps google can help with this one