Soils Test

Zmoore 4/11/2016, 9:04 am

Well, I have my beds ready to go for planting. I thought anyway Smile

For fun I thought I'd do a little generic testing. I got soil samples from two beds and tested pH and "fertility". pH was good, 6.5-7.0. "Fertility" on the other hand was "low". Now, this is just using a generic garden testing tool, not an official soils test, so it's more of a "finger in the wind" type of test, but I was still a little disappointed. One of the beds I tested I added compost to last fall and worked it in and then top coated a couple weeks ago to get ready for spring. The other was a new one just installed this year a few weeks ago, so it's all fresh stuff including compost mixed in.

Now what do I do?

**camprn** 4/11/2016, 11:09 am

Send samples to the soil lab.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/services

Use the soil less greenhouse media form.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information

**sanderson** 4/11/2016, 6:57 pm

I'm finally going to do this out of curiosity, but only on beds made before Jan 1, 2016. Just filled out the form. Heck, maybe I will do a second one on the new bed, alone.

has55 4/12/2016, 1:51 am

i'll be testing mines also. I did the home grown test and pass three of them. didn't do the ph test. I'll wait till I do the official test.
the yellowing stop on the raab plant after i gave it garrent juice pro twice and later compost tea. but it still getting warm here. I'll put up the picture of the raab when I get back to denton. in san antonio with my mother/mom

self testing
Four Easy Do-It-Yourself Soil Tests

boffer put this link on the forum last july. it explain why you sholdn't waste your money on a home soil kit,
Tip of the Day: Test your soil

has55 4/20/2016, 10:32 am

camprn wrote:Send samples to the soil lab.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/services

Use the soil less greenhouse media form.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information

why do you suggest using the soil less greenhouse media form?

has55 4/25/2016, 4:43 pm

good pictures of soil collecting for testing in Arkansas .

[url=http://www.uaex.edu/counties/miller/Soil Sample Collection.pdf]soil sample collection[/url]

**Kelejan** 4/25/2016, 4:59 pm

has55 wrote:
camprn wrote:Send samples to the soil lab.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/services

Use the soil less greenhouse media form.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information
why do you suggest using the soil less greenhouse media form?

Perhaps because SFG has no soil?

**camprn** 4/25/2016, 7:08 pm

Kelejan wrote:
has55 wrote:
camprn wrote:Send samples to the soil lab.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/services

Use the soil less greenhouse media form.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information
why do you suggest using the soil less greenhouse media form?
Perhaps because SFG has no soil?

Kelejan is correct. Mel's mix isn't dirt, otherwise known as soil. It is a soil less growing medium. So, when ordering the test, use that form

has55 4/26/2016, 1:34 am

camprn wrote:
Kelejan wrote:
has55 wrote:
camprn wrote:Send samples to the soil lab.

http://soiltest.umass.edu/services

Use the soil less greenhouse media form.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information
why do you suggest using the soil less greenhouse media form?
Perhaps because SFG has no soil?
Kelejan is correct. Mel's mix isn't dirt, otherwise known as soil. It is a soil less growing medium. So, when ordering the test, use that form

you're both right. My brain wasn't working. thanks.

has55 4/26/2016, 11:19 am

I went back to review the "teaming with microbes" book and found I was incorrect. In SFG , we start off with a soils media consisting of several types of sterile, weed free compost mixed together, usually purchased from a nursery or box store. We also add vermiculite and sterile peat moss or something similar.
But something incredible begins to change our soilless media into a powerhouse soil that consist of bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa's, arthropod, gastropod and the hero of the day Earthworms!! Actually they all are hero's especially the bacteria and fungi. They keep transforming the compost into humus, organic matter. it also contains mineral, air and water. These are the ingredient for soil/
My MM mixed changed into a sandy loam, more of a loamy soil.
This a quick review:
SOILS MATTER, GET THE SCOOP!

deeper review:
FAQ of soil food web

**Kelejan** 4/27/2016, 1:12 pm

I agree with you Has55. We start off with a soilless media then transform it.
It really is a miracle that Nature takes over.

Need a bit of spare time to read your second link, FAQ of soil food web

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