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soil ph testing kit problems
Robmarston
Posts: 338
Hi all,
I recently bought a couple of soil testing kits from the local garden centre. They are the type that you put a soil sample in with water and measure the colour against a chart to find out if your soil is acidic or alkaline. I used 4 samples from different parts of the garden in and got unclear results. One of the samples came out yellow (acidic), one was unclear as it was a greeny yellow (acidic or alkaline?) but the oddest thing was that 2 of the samples came out white, which wasn't on the chart at all. I also tried one of those rods you put in the soil that I got from ebay, but that said the soil was more neutral to alkaline. I suspect the soil is acidic as there are rhododendrons growing nearby, but all I'm getting from these kits is differing results. Can anyone tell me why this is happening and how I can get accurate readings?
I recently bought a couple of soil testing kits from the local garden centre. They are the type that you put a soil sample in with water and measure the colour against a chart to find out if your soil is acidic or alkaline. I used 4 samples from different parts of the garden in and got unclear results. One of the samples came out yellow (acidic), one was unclear as it was a greeny yellow (acidic or alkaline?) but the oddest thing was that 2 of the samples came out white, which wasn't on the chart at all. I also tried one of those rods you put in the soil that I got from ebay, but that said the soil was more neutral to alkaline. I suspect the soil is acidic as there are rhododendrons growing nearby, but all I'm getting from these kits is differing results. Can anyone tell me why this is happening and how I can get accurate readings?
0
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I got wildly differing readings from different parts of my garden.
This website will tell you what the general soil conditions are in your postcode area, and seems accurate from where I live.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I had always thought my soil was alkaline - I've no idea why.
Rhododendrons and acers are abundant locally, it was only when I came across that website I realized I my soil is slightly acidic - which all makes sense.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.