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Canada

Once you get to know your garden soil after a few "Lab" tests Why couldnt the average joe just purchase his / her own kit for testing dureing the growing season at home?

Bascially how accurate are these home kits if done correctly via instructions?

I had my soil tested in the fall of 2004, Fall or 04 I worked my soil as per my 04 test results. I just mailed off my spring "05" soil test last week and am waiting on results. Once i recieve these tests back from here on till fall dureing the growing season could i run my own monthly test just to keep track on numbers so i know what needs to be added minused dureing the grow season?

just curious bascially on how reliable these testing kits are. The kit I was looking at was around $35.00 which included the following:

This kit uses a simple three-step process with water, tablets and color comparators. To test soil, simply mix it with water and, once it settles, pour the liquid off into the color comparator, add a tablet and compare it with the color film chart for a test reading.


Includes: 40 tests for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, and instructions.


thanks

Dave

4/4/2005 6:30:27 PM

Montoursville, PA

Spend the bucks and run the tests side by side. I you can get consistant readings you would be able to relate to testing level differences. Then you relate to both by noticing... my PH is consistantley so much more or less than the other test reports.

All ratios would be the same if the home tests were consistant.

All soil tests are but a guide for possible adjustment actions. No two labs will give you the exact same readings anyway. The same lab may not either if done by a different individual within the same lab or on a different day.

The test from any source is but a guideline. Once you have a handle on your patch regular testing may be diminished to any time period you deem important to you.

4/5/2005 12:16:41 AM

Canada

Thanks
Dave

4/5/2005 6:01:55 PM