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| I called our local soil conservation office. I can pick up a $15 soil test kit that tests for: PH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and potash. The kit includes up to 10 tests. Is this sufficient or do I need to pursue something more elaborate? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| You have evidently heard about soil tests, was this because of some concern about your soil for a specific growing reason. Sometimes, the best soil test is trying to grow what it is your are interested in. This is not to say that soil tests are not needed, but at the same time, most tests are done because of some concern about the soil itself; whether it will grow a certain plant. For this reason I suggest you look to your neighbor; how does his plants grow; any concern about the nature of his plantings. How's his grass grow; does he have a vegetable patch and what has he done in the past to secure good performance. oftentimes soil tests give specifics about nitrogen, phosphurus, potash, pH acidity, but not calcium, or other trace element values. |
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| Depending on which state you live in your local office of your states university may provide a better, more comprehensive soil test, that can give you a clue about your soils pH and why it may be what it is, and some indication of which other things to add. Some of those will test for organic matter, some don't, but what the level of organic matter is good to know so you can plan on whether more needs to be put in. What the soil test you are looking at will not tell you is the ratio of Calcium and Magnesium which determines which kind of lime, Calcitic or Dolomitic, to add as well as how much if it is needed. Some other simple soil tests you can do will also help. 1) Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains� too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. |
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