Soil Testing

[chuff]

Hi all, does anyone test there ph balance of there soil and if so what do you use?

[chuff]

[amanda21]

I just did mine and used a basic testing kit from the garden centre.  It is a test tube with the chemical(?) in a capsule.  You break the capsule into the tube, add some soil and water, shake and leave to settle and change colour.  There is a chart on the cardboard it came on to compare the colour with.  It wasn't very expensive and you can buy extra capsules.  I think there are a few alternatives but this seemed the cheapest.

[Zippy Seale]

Those or a ph meter which are chep enough from B&Q or homebase...etc. 
heres ebay list.
http://home-garden.search.ebay.co.uk/ph-meter_Fertiliser-Soil-Improvement_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ20540
good luck.

[mat]

can I ask a dumb quesion? If you add water to a pH kit, how come the pH of the water doesn't affect the results? 

mat

[amanda21]

:-\  *cough* just off to find daughter's chemistry book.......errr

[Zippy Seale]

well it can.  However if you are watering a plot with chalky water then this would have brought you ph up due to the disolve minerals  being left in your soil.  So it will be a true reflection of your soil's ph.  vice versa for soft water areas.

[tim]

Not the least bit dumb!! We know the pH of our water before testing, so that's some help. Try this for starters..............

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lab/msg040655394474.html

[a.buaras]

Hi Chuff,
  You can also use a red cabbage test.

http://www.mrsec.psu.edu/ipse/activities/paper/red_cabbage.pdf

You could just type 'red cabbage test' in google for alternative methods.

Good luck  ;D

[mat]

Thanks Tim.  I'll see if I have an aquarium water tester left over (I last tested my water many years ago and know it is alkaline)  however the water supply is from a different area to my soil, so it sounds as though I will need to know the water pH before I test the soil!

mat

[tim]

Me? I'd speak to the makers!

[chuff]

Thanks everyone for the replies and links ;D I fancy one of the probe type testers does anyone have one and how accurate are they.

[tim]

Yes - don't know! How can one compare?

I know that even the most expensive thermometers are only an indication.

I bought a £40 'certificated' one to settle an argument over our fridge & that was over a degree out against the engineer's.

Whichever - don't forget to test all over!