Soil testing kit

[AlanO]

Can anyone recommend a decent soil test kit please?  I've previously used a kit that tests for PH only, but I see others which test Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash as well. There are also the rod style testers which appear to be reusable. Any views please. Thanks.

[AlanO]

[Tee Gee]

Can anyone recommend a decent soil test kit please? 

There are also the rod style testers which appear to be reusable.

I have had one of these for more years than I can remember and found it as rubbish simply because the graduations on the meter are so fine and you cant really see any movement if the soil Ph changes I once stuck the rod in a bag of lime and still didn't see it move!

Having said that they might be more accurate now with LED displays!

I had a look on ebay and you are spoiled for choice for both rod and chemical kits see here;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/soil-ph-tester

Based on my results with the rod I do not bother testing anymore, and if I did and as a member of the RHS I would probably use them!

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Content/S/Soil-pH/Soil%20pH.htm

Hope this info helps!

[Pescador]

As TeeGee says, rods/probes are a waste of time. Liquid kits that test for NPK as well as pH are "better", but you need to pay attention to how you collect the sample for testing.

[laurieuk]

I would agree with Tee Gee and not bother, I have been a professional gardener for over 60 years and not found a good use for one. We gardeners seem to be an easy target for selling things to.