Hi, GG2, and welcome to A4A, Don't think we've met yet.
Soil testing kits;
It's getting to be something of a minefield out there with all those soil testing kits and gadgets and I don't blame you if your a bit confused.
First off; Yes, there are quite a lot to choose from. There are those that you can use time and time again and those 'one go jobbies.'
Both have their uses, which doesn't, as yet, answer your question...hang about.
The 'one time use' ones are good if you use them in the right way. These are the ones that need you to collect a soil sample for testing. Instructions always come with the kit, but basically speaking, you put soil into a container and the provided chemicals will give you a pH read out.
The re-usable ones work in a different way. This is not a kit but a meter. You make a hole in the soil and put the probe of the meter into it after putting a drop of water into the soil. Again you get a read out but it's usually a meter reading saying 'Acid' - Neutral - Alkaline/Chalky and a needle moves on the scale.
OK! Now what's what? Well, the first one is good as an initial test and is usually quite accurate, it's done by taking soil samples from different parts of your plot....read the instructions.
The second one is handy to keep a track through the seasons as to any drastic change...drastic because they are not as sensitive or as accurate as a soil sample test.
Having said all that; If you're planning to work previously worked ground, I wouldn't worry too much about pH values as soil can be 'conditioned' for your average crops.
I have a pH vaue list if you want it but don't worry too much about it....just get on with it.
Looking forward to your input on progress.
