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Google
soil testing
+5
No_Such_Reality
yolos
sanderson
camprn
has55
9 posters
Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
soil testing
how do you collect sample for soil testing when you have several SFG beds?
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
If each bed is made from approximately the same mix one sample should give you a good idea of what's going on. Read and follow the directions from the particular lab you are sending the sample to.
Be aware though that after a season or two the growing medium is no longer the same as some types of plants will take more nutrients than others. To have a definite picture samples will be needed from each bed.
Be aware though that after a season or two the growing medium is no longer the same as some types of plants will take more nutrients than others. To have a definite picture samples will be needed from each bed.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: soil testing
Thanks camp. what labs test do you and the others normally order and cost? Dirt Doctor recommend Texas TP&SL . seem pretty expensive. Dirt Doctor no longer support the Texas State A&M soil lab group. See why below. That's why I asked the question.
A&MS 1-0-0 FERTILIZER PUSH BAD SCIENCE
PHOSPHATE PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS by Malcolm Beck
Texas Plant and Soil Lab
A&MS 1-0-0 FERTILIZER PUSH BAD SCIENCE
PHOSPHATE PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS by Malcolm Beck
Texas Plant and Soil Lab
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
Oh, Oh, I know the answer to this one. I even have the forms filled out anticipating when I will sending in samples (2), one new bed one old bed, maybe a third in a pea/bean bed.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/sites/soiltest.umass.edu/files/forms/soilless-greenhouse-media/Greenhouse_050416.pdf
http://soiltest.umass.edu/sites/soiltest.umass.edu/files/forms/soilless-greenhouse-media/Greenhouse_050416.pdf
Re: soil testing
would you put up a picture of how you filled out the form. I don't see a garden style.sanderson wrote:Oh, Oh, I know the answer to this one. I even have the forms filled out anticipating when I will sending in samples (2), one new bed one old bed, maybe a third in a pea/bean bed.
http://soiltest.umass.edu/sites/soiltest.umass.edu/files/forms/soilless-greenhouse-media/Greenhouse_050416.pdf
Thanks, austin
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
Mel's mix is a soilless growing medium so you wanted to use the greenhouse soil/ growing medium form and test. Check out UMass soil lab in Amherst Mass.has55 wrote:Thanks camp. what labs test do you and the others normally order and cost? Dirt Doctor recommend Texas TP&SL . seem pretty expensive. Dirt Doctor no longer support the Texas State A&M soil lab group. See why below. That's why I asked the question.
A&MS 1-0-0 FERTILIZER PUSH BAD SCIENCE
PHOSPHATE PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS by Malcolm Beck
Texas Plant and Soil Lab
https://soiltest.umass.edu/ordering-information
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: soil testing
campn- this one? GREENHOUSE MEDIA; SATURATED MEDIA EXTRACT
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
Has, I will post a photo later of how I filled it out. That way, Camp can have a good laugh.

Re: soil testing
Actually, it will be helpful Since my beds are old and have verimcompost and compost, I'm trying to figure it out when it comes to percentage and fertilizers like fish emulsion, blood meal, coffee,etc...sanderson wrote:Has, I will post a photo later of how I filled it out. That way, Camp can have a good laugh.![]()
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
Here you go, Has. I gave them maybe more info than needed, but it might help them "diagnose" if something is deficient. This isn't completely accurate. For example, if I make and use a batch of compost with seaweed, then I don't add the crab flakes and kelp meal. I don't use Espoma on everything, just long season plants like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. So the form info is just, well, general info. 

Re: soil testing
I believe that is the only soilless medium test form @ UMass.has55 wrote:campn- this one? GREENHOUSE MEDIA; SATURATED MEDIA EXTRACT
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: soil testing
thank you. quite helpful Sanderson and camprn
Last edited by has55 on 7/6/2016, 10:13 am; edited 1 time in total
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
As long as it's not dirt, use the greenhouse mix form.has55 wrote:Actually, it will be helpful Since my beds are old and have verimcompost and compost, I'm trying to figure it out when it comes to percentage and fertilizers like fish emulsion, blood meal, coffee,etc...sanderson wrote:Has, I will post a photo later of how I filled it out. That way, Camp can have a good laugh.![]()
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: soil testing
Sanderson, well done. Would you post the results they sent back? How many of the tests did you request?
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: soil testing
Would you also use that if there is some dirt in the sample. For instance, when I first built my boxes and filled them, because they were 10" deep, I put about 2 inches of dirt in the bottom and then filled the rest of the way up with MM. Over the years, that bottom soil has become mixed in with the MM.camprn wrote:As long as it's not dirt, use the greenhouse mix form.has55 wrote:Actually, it will be helpful Since my beds are old and have verimcompost and compost, I'm trying to figure it out when it comes to percentage and fertilizers like fish emulsion, blood meal, coffee,etc...sanderson wrote:Has, I will post a photo later of how I filled it out. That way, Camp can have a good laugh.![]()
yolos-
Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 73
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
Re: soil testing
Camprn do you include the organic matter %?
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
Today I mailed 3 samples (sans red wigglers
) off to U Mass, one from bean/pea boxes, one non-legume older mix and the third from the new 2' x 7' TT box that is currently planted with tomatoes. I'll post returns when I get them.

Re: soil testing
Yesyolos wrote:Would you also use that if there is some dirt in the sample. For instance, when I first built my boxes and filled them, because they were 10" deep, I put about 2 inches of dirt in the bottom and then filled the rest of the way up with MM. Over the years, that bottom soil has become mixed in with the MM.camprn wrote:As long as it's not dirt, use the greenhouse mix form.has55 wrote:Actually, it will be helpful Since my beds are old and have verimcompost and compost, I'm trying to figure it out when it comes to percentage and fertilizers like fish emulsion, blood meal, coffee,etc...sanderson wrote:Has, I will post a photo later of how I filled it out. That way, Camp can have a good laugh.![]()
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: soil testing
anything yet? huh. huh.sanderson wrote:Today I mailed 3 samples (sans red wigglers) off to U Mass, one from bean/pea boxes, one non-legume older mix and the third from the new 2' x 7' TT box that is currently planted with tomatoes. I'll post returns when I get them.

has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: soil testing
I checked online and they are really backlogged, like 3 or 4 weeks. Makes sense as it is the growing season. You know I will post as soon as I get them.

Re: soil testing
I need to bag a few up and send them off. The backlog probably works out pretty well. Basically be about the right time to plan fall amendments to prep for the spring growing season, which for me is January.
No_Such_Reality-
Posts : 666
Join date : 2011-04-22
Location : Orange County, CA aka Disneyland or Sunset zone 22
Re: soil testing
I checked on line and they are working on samples received July 8. I sent mine off on July 6 so it could be any time now.

Re: soil testing
The DW wants me to raised the beds another level. that's why I haven't put in the water lines or tested the soil, since I will have to shoveled out 12-15" of soil tomorrow, add additional mulched, then returned the soil, level it off, get soil samples for testing and put in the aquajet water lines.
has55- Posts : 2378
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
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» Soil Testing Kit, Recommendations
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» Testing Mel's Mix pH
» Soil Testing Kit, Recommendations
» Soil testing
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» Testing Mel's Mix pH
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