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President - GPC

Has anyone ever used two labs at the same time for a soil sample? How have the results compared? Have they been even close?

Recent experience.......which one is correct? Neither?

Your experiences please.......

4/17/2007 8:57:26 AM

western PA

What is differing between the two WIZ ????

4/17/2007 1:33:00 PM

President - GPC

Not one reading was close to the others- Ill bring it tomorrow and post but off my head one said Ph was 7.2, the other said Ph was 7.4. But every test was off, P,K Ca, OM, all,.... no pattern, not even close.....just wondering.....if others have tested the same dirt with multiple labs.....Of course I like the better numbers...but........

4/17/2007 2:13:29 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

A soil sample is like tasting a bowl of soup with an eye dropper. It is a reference only. I think to many soils are screwed up trying to get to the golden mark.

4/17/2007 3:02:54 PM

I fully agree with Shannon,,temps,,moisture,,number of cores collected from different areas,,time of year,,the testing methods used at the labs,, the list goes on and on

The sample is a "snapshot" of a given day in your dirt,,that snapshot is constantly changing.

Yes it would be fun(and costly) to pull the samples all at one time,,and send to various labs,,,but it will probably just add to the frustration levels. Pick a lab you can trust and one that gives you an agronomist to talk to for making choices on required amendments is my advice.

4/17/2007 4:24:07 PM

President - GPC

I know Ive become a label reader- Some seaweed solutions contain 2-1-18...Lots of potassium. Molasses - 8 -12% Potassium, 0-0-24 on the KDL...... Now I wondered why my K was getting higher......I read everyting now. Need to dial it in.....

4/17/2007 4:26:48 PM

Colorado

I sent samples to 2 labs this spring. The dirt was pulled at the same time, so technically it was "the same" stuff sent to both labs (CSU and UMASS). The results were pretty much identical (within reason), and the only thing that was off by a few % was the organic matter. Not sure if they used the same technique to calculate it. But everything else was very consistent... so, next year will just be one lab and save $$.

4/17/2007 9:11:24 PM

Puyallup, WA

Several years ago, someone sent the same sample to about ten different soil labs. Not surprisingly, none came out the same. I've had results that I thought were "out of the ball park" with my yearly samples. Using the same lab helps with consistency to see if you are improving in the areas of interest.

4/18/2007 12:34:53 AM

Phoenix, AZ

As Stan said, I also use the same lab over and over and will never go to another. Plus they are cool and test for weird stuff if I ask. They think my big pumpkin growing is fun.

4/18/2007 12:57:21 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

At the risk of irking a bunch of people I will make three very accurate & controversial statements. Believe me these are true. I've done this for hire for over 20 years.

1.) Most people don't have a clue how to properly sample soil.
2.) Most labs absolutely suck.
3.) The only two decent labs are cost prohibitive or not even taking new clients so don't ask.

I had to give up sending samples in so please don't ask about that either. It isn't worth the pittance we earn to spend the time shipping the soil & interpreting the results. It just takes too long. LOL

I agree that if you find a consistent lab that has an accessible & competent staff then you should stick with it exclusively.

pH is the most important thing to test. Annual micro & %OM tests are a waste of money.

4/18/2007 1:43:20 AM

President - GPC

Both my tests were sent in the same time, like Petes, I they were pulled from the same box of soil, at 6" deep, sterilized tools, 12 diff spots,.....They both agreed, that my K was too high......lol

4/18/2007 9:24:10 AM