Plant Swap Rush Industries
Advertise on this site

Go Back   Plant Swap > Garden Talk > Tools and Toys



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-08-2009, 10:34 AM
Sunny757's Avatar
Blossom
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia Beach, Va 7
Posts: 222
iTrader: (9)

soil tests


Has anyone found one of these that is accurate? I wanted to get one of those prong type ones where you stick it in the dirt and it tells you the pH, water needs, sunlight exposure, and the N,P,K. They run about $20. But I was reading online last night and reviews weren''t so good. Said they don't work. They tried it in vinegar and cow's milk which is supposed to have a certain reading, and it wasn't even close.

I also got one of those capsule type tests yesterday. Didn't have much luck with that either. I got a reading for pH and the Phosphorous. Neutral and very low. The Nitrogen and Potash didn't even turn a color. So I tried another test. I had bought 2. One to do now and one for spring. Same result.

Anyone know where I can get a reliable test done for free or cheap? Does Lowes or nurseries do soil tests?
Add Post to del.icio.usNetscape this post!Stumble this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-08-2009, 01:23 PM
zuzu's petals's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Coastal N. Carolina ~ Zone 8
Posts: 4,339
iTrader: (42)
Originally Posted by Sunny757 View Post:
Anyone know where I can get a reliable test done for free or cheap?
Local Agricultural agent maybe?
__________________
~*~zuzu~*~


Add Post to del.icio.usNetscape this post!Stumble this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-08-2009, 03:44 PM
Mandy's Avatar
Flower Garden
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Schnecksville,PA
Posts: 3,499
iTrader: (41)
Send a message via Skype™ to Mandy
I know from the people that I've talked with, all recommended using the county cooperative offices like zuzu suggested. That seems to be the best bet because you get a professional, in-depth analysis of your soil. I've used the kits that you tried and I honestly can't tell you if they were even accurate.
Add Post to del.icio.usNetscape this post!Stumble this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-09-2009, 05:30 AM
gone_tropical's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL, Zone 9b
Posts: 4,749
iTrader: (74)
yes, your local extension offers those tests for free..

I got one of those kits at Lowes, did the test and took the soil to the extension office. the reading was not that far off.
__________________

gone tropical :-)
Add Post to del.icio.usNetscape this post!Stumble this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-09-2009, 06:03 AM
Mandy's Avatar
Flower Garden
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Schnecksville,PA
Posts: 3,499
iTrader: (41)
Send a message via Skype™ to Mandy
Well that's good to know!
Add Post to del.icio.usNetscape this post!Stumble this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-10-2009, 06:19 AM
Sunny757's Avatar
Blossom
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia Beach, Va 7
Posts: 222
iTrader: (9)

good news


I went to lowes the other night and asked 'em about soil testing and they said the do it for free. I'm not sure if it's all the Lowes or just the ones here but that was cool to know.
Add Post to del.icio.usNetscape this post!Stumble this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin - Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2006 Measuring Up. All rights reserved.