posted
I bought a soil analyzer from Parks this past winter. I decided to test it out... it's basically a rectangle shaped box with two metal prongs sticking out at the bottom about 3 inches. It has a meter that designates the ranges for pH and fertility. I was wondering if anyone else has something like this? I'm just not getting consistent readings. I tested some topsoil i bought and it said that it was too fertile and that the pH was 3.5! It may well be a correct reading, but i'm a bit suspicious. Does anyone else out there know the trick to getting an accurate reading? I used rainwater and not tap to wet the soil. Should i use distilled? The directions said rainwater or distilled... I might have to call Parks and see what they say. Gardendreamer03@aol.com
* * * * Bob Plants: 640 | From: in my garden | Registered: Jan 2003
| Seeded: 64.12.96.70
I have a similar tester (Rapidtest, not sure who makes it) and it seems to work pretty well. I've found that you have to leave it in the soil for at least a minute in order to get a "final" reading. I tested it on milk (which they say is about 6.5 pH) and vinegar (about 3.0 pH) for accuracy and found that it came within .5 pH for both of these substances. I don't know how good using liquids was as a test since the package directions specifically said not to use it in water. Also, in my case I can live with a little inaccuracy. I'm just using it to check levels around my acid-loving plants since my soil was originally alkaline, and I figure I have wiggle room of about 1.0 pH.
Have you tried any of those chemistry-set-looking testers where you shake soil and water in a vial and use a pH test strip? It seems like those would be more accurate than the stick-in-the-ground variety. The kits I've seen come with multiple vials so you can test more than once. I'm guessing it's cheaper than having it tested by an outside lab.
posted
Jules, i think my instrument must be a "lemon"... I tried again yesterday ,this time wetting my soil with distilled water. I found a spot that i knew was barren ground. the pH here without adding lime is around 4.5 I carefully ground the soil up like it said to and made sure there was no organic matter in it. This was simply red clay. I added my water and it it said the pH was ideal(around 6.5) and that the fertility was ideal.I'm quite sure that is incorrect. I even checked the battery! LOL!!! No, i haven't used the chemistry set method yet, but that might be my next move.
I'm going to try the milk and vinegar trick and see what it does. I need something reliable. Thanks for letting me know of your experiece with this. I'm determined to get my soil tested accurately! Gardendreamer03@aol.com
[ May 22, 2003: Message edited by: floweraddict ]
* * * * Bob
Plants: 640 | From: in my garden | Registered: Jan 2003
| Seeded: 152.163.252.99
posted
Jules, i tested a glass of vinegar and it read 5.0!!! Then, i tested a glass of milk and it read 7. So much for my Soil Analyzer!!! I'm going to send it back. I'm surfing for a new method. It's interesting, some of the pro's i've talked with don't bother testing their soil. They "wing" it. I have to know. I've got a few bluebeards that definately have a problem ;so, i'm determined to find out what i did wrong! Gardendreamer03@aol.com
* * * * Bob Plants: 640 | From: in my garden | Registered: Jan 2003
| Seeded: 64.12.96.70
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