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Amherst, WI

I think it would be a great help to see a page on the "How to section" regarding making sense of soil test results. This could include acceptable ranges for everything given on a thourough soil test, and tips on how to correct anything that was out of wack. It would be a good place to refer people with soil test questions, and also to compare your own results to see what could be improved.

11/13/2003 9:36:01 AM

Ditto....I think that's a great idea....people like me are a little lost, and I know there's several people probably more clueless than I am...and there's been a number of people that have posted their results not knowing what to do. I think a How To page would be awesome, or perhaps a "soil" or "soil test" Message Board.

11/13/2003 2:04:41 PM

Hamilton, MT

Excellent Idea!!
There are a few key individuals that have answered their lion's share of soil questions. As spring comes on, there will only be more questions...at least from me.
Thanks for thinking of this Randooooo.
Kim

11/13/2003 4:35:23 PM

Kuna, Id.

Try this site it has helped me along a little.
www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/interp1.htm
Heres the site for the lab that does my testing also a good source for knowledge
www.westernlaboratories.com
Ken

11/14/2003 2:06:00 AM

Deer Park, WI

Great idea Randy. I second or third or whatever place i am that idea. SOmething like this would be very helpful.

11/14/2003 9:12:57 AM

Applegate, Oregon

Ditto, great idea.

11/14/2003 9:34:53 AM

Connecticut, USA

If someone writes it, I will post it.

11/14/2003 4:11:40 PM

Utah

i think it will be a tougher task that it appears at first. there are lots of regional soil difference and other variables that can enter into the equation.

for example with my soil... it is a heavy clay and pH above ... in general adding gypsum is a good solution... but in my case it is not... there is a lot of naturally occuring calcuim in the soil. ie- maxed out in Ca. so adding that would only make that worse.
i'm sure there are other example for other regions too.

11/14/2003 4:33:53 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

There needs to be a standard. I get hit with a lot of reports from labs all over the country. Take my word for it, with the incosistancies in the labs themselves, this can be very frustrating.

For starters, the labs themselves don't all interpret results the same way even when they use the same equipment.

Some labs report in ppm, others in Lbs/nutrient/acre.

Then there is questionable or aged test equipment too.

I prefer CLC Labs in Westerville OH. One lab. One set of operators. Very small operation with extremely high standards & consistent through-put.

Then there are labs that operate multiple locations in a veritable factory like setting. McSoil testing if you will.

I'm not trying to crush this idea. I think it's a great one. All I'm suggesting is that some serious thought needs to go into the means of collecting & reporting the data. And then the interpretation of results is another matter entirely.

Steve

11/14/2003 11:08:11 PM