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Location

Message

Date Posted

Arcola, IL, USA

How much faith does everyone have in those soil analyzer's that have a probe that you stick in the ground to check the PH level? I talked to a guy that does soil tests and he says there pretty accurate. ?????????

3/16/2006 11:46:38 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I wouldn't be surprised if they are accurate. But, don't you want to know a lot more about your soil than the pH?

3/16/2006 11:54:58 PM

Arcola, IL, USA

I had a full test ran, i just didn't agree with the ph level they told me. I have a soil analyzer and it tells me 6.7 and the lab told me 7.5 and 8.0... The other levels in the soil were pretty close to a previous test done two years agao. A test I ran 2 years ago i was told 6.5....... I havent really added anything other than straw mulch that would change ph. So, I am thinking that my meter ph is probably right, just not sure. Looking for a second, third, fourth, etc opinion...

3/17/2006 12:41:59 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I wonder if the depth of the soil is significant at all. If your soil samples were taken from a mix of soil anywhere from 4-10 inches, I wonder if the results would be different than a pH meter which may go deeper or shallower. I don't know. I have only done one soil test before. But, I suppose eventhough the lab tests should be accurate, they really are just a guide.

3/17/2006 2:33:21 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Moisture is the key with the any probe type analyzer. They are not extremely accurate but give you a ball park range.

3/17/2006 10:10:50 AM

Piqua,Ohio

I personally would beleive the lab test over a probe. but it is important if you are comparing the two that your are comparing apples to apples you must be pulling cores from the same spot you are probing and at the same depth if you are randomly takeing soil from thru out the patch you are getting a represenative test for the whole patch the probe is only telling you the particular spot you are probing now if you probe many spots and average the results then you. are doing a better job.Lab base samples on 6 to 8 inch depth ( depending on the lab)unless you specify that it is top two or four inchs ect. Thus meaning if you pull a sample core 4 inches deep and send it to lab they are baseing the reading on 8 inch depth you are not getting a true reading . and yes labs can make mistakes, human error,ect. Most labs run a known sample every 100 or so samples to make sure their equipment stays calibrated

3/17/2006 11:41:14 PM