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The County of Berkshire, UK

Does anyone know what the going rate is for a soil test in the UK ,also does it depend on level of testing required?

My 1st soil test so little unsure!

Any advise would be a great help

Cheers

Stephen

12/3/2007 4:35:17 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Hi Stephen,

Cost does indeed depend on the tests that you want done.

http://www.cropwise.co.uk/analysis-services-soil-analysis-c-30_41.html

They send it to lancrop labs which are used by many uk exhibitors.

The last one that I had done was the broad spectrum which is now £26.
It doesn't tell you organic matter % or base saturation % which I already had some idea on from previous tests.

How much its worth spending depends on your aspirations if you want to break the UK record and are prepared to put in the effort required open your wallet.

12/3/2007 5:51:45 AM

The County of Berkshire, UK

AXC..Thanks I have been in contact with Reading university soil science dept...and they can do a complete strip down of the sample soil for £50.He said that it would be a complete breakdown.
What do you reckon to that?

As to opening my wallet well that been open already lots.I have gained some more ground as well for this coming year.

12/3/2007 6:36:09 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I think I can remember that the CTGSPGA were offering soil tests to members a while back for a lot less than that,You there Tremor?

12/3/2007 12:51:38 PM

Lymington

We use very few soil tests. Instead after our initial manure top dressing in the winter we feed our plants from day one with a balanced liquid feed every week and use a probe to tell us the level of feed we are achiving in the soil. We try to achieve a level of about CF 2.2 if the level dips we make the feed a little stronger and viceversa. If you use this method it is important to wash any feed of the plant leaves to avoid scorching. We realy like this because after watering you imediatly know the level of available food weekly.

12/7/2007 2:33:58 PM

The County of Berkshire, UK

Stuart- Thanks for that information, sorry for very late reply..been away!!. Still new to all this and unsure of what you mean by CF 2.2. Last year I watered the plants around the base area only with an occasinal misting of whole plant..this was usually done very early morning as to not scorch..thus my question is..will water decrease the amount of available nutrients? Therefore is probing the best method to "Monitor" whilst the plants are growing or is there another method.

2/21/2008 6:07:09 AM