Soil PH Meter - am I using it properly or is it broken?

[Jitterbug]

I thought that I would be wise and purchase a proper meter seeing that I will be using it for years instead of that little phial thingy magigy.  So I have purchased a PH soil meter.  Now it does not seem to be working as it is registering 7 all over my plot? ???  Or am I lucky with a reading of 7??

How do I test to see if it is broken?  I am not sure what to do now as my brassica  and asparagus beds is also registering 7 - to me that seems to be a good reading??  Anyone used one of these things before - it does not use batteries but has a long prong like attachment which you insert into the ground and wait 60 seconds for a reading - well mine does not move off 7!  Any ideas would be welcome.

Jitterbug

[Jitterbug]

[froglets]

Try putting it in some vinegar or a citrus fruit & see if it registers anything other than 7.

[kenkew]

You need to mix a sample with water. I use mine by scraping a small hollow with a trowel then adding some clean water, mix to a muddy consistancy and put the probe in. Some say to use distilled water but if you use water from the same source for all your tests you should get fairly close.

[Tee Gee]

Plus every time you use it clean it! I find one of the sponge backed pan scrubbers useful for this! (use pan scrubber side)

[vee]

I got one last year and it never moved from 6.5, so I wasn't too confident either.

Now I can only find the packet it came in so I can't try vinegar which seems like a good idea. If it ever turns up I'll give that a go.

[Jitterbug]

Thanks for that guys - I will get to the lottie this week-end - armed with some still mineral water and the meter and report back on my findings.  This meter came with a little green hard spongey thing so I will use it.

Jitterbug

[Si]

I would aim for distilled water, not mineral water for the best results.

You mix the soil with some water in a beaker and let it settle so that you can see the sediment. Rinse the pH meter first with distilled water and dip it into the clear water, above the sediment. Hold it in there until the reading levels off. Rinse the meter and then your ready to go again :) Try a few to be certain.

If you still having probs, send me a sample.

[Jitterbug]

thanks Si - will carry out tests this week-end and report back with my findings.

Jitterbug

[telboy]

Si,
I would be interested where one can obtain distilled water these days.
Due to the 'control' of distillation - know what i mean?' one can only obtain demineralised H2O.
Would love to obtain some.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's not hard to rig up your own still!

[chuff]

I have a ph metre that doesnt take batteries cost me a tenner from focus, always reads ph 7, I dont think they work properly :(

[Sparkly]

Si,
I would be interested where one can obtain distilled water these days.
Due to the 'control' of distillation - know what i mean?' one can only obtain demineralised H2O.
Would love to obtain some.

ah there are disadvantages to being a science teacher!

[jennym]

Si,
I would be interested where one can obtain distilled water these days.
Due to the 'control' of distillation - know what i mean?' one can only obtain demineralised H2O.
Would love to obtain some.

Cheapest source - scrapings off the inside of your freezer  ;D

[telboy]

Frost free!
Anyroad up, if I had ice - wouldn't it very very weak corbonic acid?

[cornykev]

I used  the water/capule shaky thingy and all four readings were 7.0 ph. ::) ???  ;D ;D ;D

[Si]

Si,
I would be interested where one can obtain distilled water these days.
Due to the 'control' of distillation - know what i mean?' one can only obtain demineralised H2O.
Would love to obtain some.

I'll try and find out for you telboy. Ice scrapings are an interesting idea.

I have a ph metre that doesnt take batteries cost me a tenner from focus, always reads ph 7, I dont think they work properly

You do need to calibrate some of them with standard solutions before you take a set of readings.