Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

On 1/5/2015 12:06 AM, Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

Most states have ag agents who can either test your soil or sell you a
kit to send back for testing. Check with them first. If you just want to
test pH you can buy a kit at most garden centers. I've used both over
the years and it was worth the effort and bucks. What I had thought was
a medium pH soil turned out to be fairly acidic. That then tells you how
to amend your soil.

George Shirley wrote:
Davej wrote:

Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

more words/background needed, questions too
vague...

sometimes, but i often think they are just yet
another wasted expense. a small plot gardener who
is just starting out may be better served by doing
some basic readings first before getting to soil
tests. why test an area when later you'll decide
to put in raised beds? or perhaps a pond or a
perennial garden and a greenhouse?

there's a lot of basic information that is much
more helpful than a soil test. like, if the area
has enough light or moisture, what the site is like
generally, drainage, accessibility, etc. perhaps
it really won't support the original intent very
well and it is best to rethink and replan?


Most states have ag agents who can either test your soil or sell you a
kit to send back for testing. Check with them first. If you just want to
test pH you can buy a kit at most garden centers. I've used both over
the years and it was worth the effort and bucks. What I had thought was
a medium pH soil turned out to be fairly acidic. That then tells you how
to amend your soil.

agricultural agents are not always the best resource
for gardening information. if you do get a soil test
from them their answers may reflect their extractive
agricultural perspective.

better to look for your local gardening clubs or to
ask around the neighborhood for a master gardener.

a bit of reading (about 10-20 pages) should be available
on line or at the library which can describe how to analyze
an area and take a soil sample.

more generally useful materials are also available for
free at the library. well worth the time spent.


songbird

Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

It depends on what you are trying to acheive. Like so many things to do
with gardening and growing there are very few (if any) golden rules that
always apply in all situations. You need to think in terms of whether there
is a mismatch between the nature of your soil and what you want to get from
it and whether soil testing would actually help you deal with that problem.
Some imagine if you get a soil test done you will get back a recommendation
for treatment and after you sprinkle about some magical ammendments all will
be perfect. It isn't like that.

As for the how, this is an international forum and the answer to that will
depend very much on where you are.

It will also depend on how much effort you are prepared to put into it. It
is likely that many would read this question as being about sending samples
off to a laboratory for chemical analysis. Much of the data you need is not
about chemistry and doesn't need a lab.

There are quite a few simple tests that you can do yourself that will give
you good information about the structure and content of soil for the cost of
a little time and study. I am sorry but I have lost some links, I used to
have a list of sites providing these articles but no longer. Here are some
that will give you a start but there are several others out there that I was
fond of with more about tests you can do yourself:

http://www.ccma.vic.gov.au/soilhealt...pert ies).pdf

http://www.growingcapsicums.com.au/p...soil_tests.pdf

The first contains a fair primer on soil structure and some key concepts
like exchange capacity, the second is more about testing procedures. The
texture, physical content and what your soil will hold is more important
than whatever minerals a lab says are in it right now.

--
David

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A better world requires a daily struggle
against those who would mislead us.

On Monday, January 5, 2015 4:34:47 PM UTC-6, David Hare-Scott wrote:
Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

It depends on what you are trying to achieve.
[...]


Well, my garden soil is pretty much clay, but over the years it has at times been improved with the addition of composted mulch, however last year I noticed it was looking rather like clay again (the organic matter disappears completely in time) so I have added mulch again. I'm guessing it will be acidic for awhile, but I don't know how this would be most noticeable -- what garden plants would be the most affected. Perhaps if I add lime it would mostly be for the benefit of certain more acid-sensitive plants? Thanks.

Davej wrote:
On Monday, January 5, 2015 4:34:47 PM UTC-6, David Hare-Scott wrote:
Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

It depends on what you are trying to achieve.
[...]


Well, my garden soil is pretty much clay, but over the years it has
at times been improved with the addition of composted mulch, however
last year I noticed it was looking rather like clay again (the
organic matter disappears completely in time) so I have added mulch
again. I'm guessing it will be acidic for awhile, but I don't know
how this would be most noticeable -- what garden plants would be the
most affected. Perhaps if I add lime it would mostly be for the
benefit of certain more acid-sensitive plants? Thanks.

I am still unsure of what you are trying to acheive in your garden or hope
to get out of soil testing.

Perhaps if you bought a dye indicator kit for a few dollars you could find
out how acidic your soil is. Combine this with the preference of the plants
you are trying to grow and you will have some information about whether you
need to add lime, how much and where.

If you want more specific advice you need to give some information and ask
more specific questions.

--
David

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A better world requires a daily struggle
against those who would mislead us.

On Monday, January 5, 2015 at 1:06:51 AM UTC-5, Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

Our local feed store does soil tests for $15.

Paul

On Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 10:06:51 PM UTC-8, Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

There is a lot more to a soil test than ph.
If your soil is deficient in a element, you need to know which one it is to avoid the shotgun approach of using "tons" or everything hoping you will catch the missing deficiency.
This is particularly important when you buy soil or planter mix to use in raised beds. You really have no idea what you are buying in many cases. Also seasonally, the outfits that mix "garden soil" have different sources of materials and one load may be great and the next load pretty crappy.
A lot will depend on whether you mix in compost to your garden also. No compost, soil chemistry more problematic. Soil chemistry also more difficult to control, keep balanced, in pots.
Last time I checked in So. Calif and outfit 30 miles away charged $65.00 for a full test. They were in Temecula and accepted samples for testing through the mail.
Hopes this helps.
Jim in So Calif

On 1/25/2015 1:56 AM, James McNulty wrote:
On Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 10:06:51 PM UTC-8, Davej wrote:
Is this worth doing, and if so then how?

There is a lot more to a soil test than ph.
If your soil is deficient in a element, you need to know which one it is to avoid the shotgun approach of using "tons" or everything hoping you will catch the missing deficiency.
This is particularly important when you buy soil or planter mix to use in raised beds. You really have no idea what you are buying in many cases. Also seasonally, the outfits that mix "garden soil" have different sources of materials and one load may be great and the next load pretty crappy.
A lot will depend on whether you mix in compost to your garden also. No compost, soil chemistry more problematic. Soil chemistry also more difficult to control, keep balanced, in pots.
Last time I checked in So. Calif and outfit 30 miles away charged $65.00 for a full test. They were in Temecula and accepted samples for testing through the mail.
Hopes this helps.
Jim in So Calif

Both Texas and Louisiana, the two states I've mainly lived in for years,
have extension services that will test your soil for a much smaller fee.
I think the last time I had a test in Louisiana it cost $18.00. Worth a
look online or a phone call.

George, in SE Texas, heat zone 8b