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PH Soil testing

What products do you recommend for soil testing?

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    I've never used one, but there's a soil map here - 
    http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/

    which give an overall idea of the pH of the soil where you live

    and a much more detailed map here-

    http://www.ukso.org/maps.html


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700

    There are usually two ways to test your soil. The strip test where a solution is poured and mixed with the soil, and the meter tester. If you have a large garden, it might be better to have the meter tester where you just push a metal rod into the soil and it will read instantly. It;s fast and you can repeat testing areas all over your garden. But there is no need if you know you will only do one test.

    Unfortunately, I have not had one for over 10 years now, and no doubt technologies have moved on. I just typed in PH soil testers now and there are many vendors in Amazon selling both kits.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Actually - you're wrong. Rhodendrons grow in neutral soil every bit as well as acid soil.

    Lulu - are you wanting to plant something  in particular, and are worried about your soil being suitable for it? If so - what else is growing round about you in other gardens? image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Chloe Kraven says:

    Those ph kits are pants

    See original post

     That much I agree with


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Thanks for the links Pete, quite interesting. image

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    I had always thought I had the soil here was alkaline soil, but turns out it's slightly acid clay I'm on according to the map - which thinking about it is no surprise really as rhodo's/acers/azaleas all abundant in this area.
    As for the exact pH of the soil in various parts of my garden....image

    Only if I was planting blueberries (maybe next year) or summer heathers


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511

    I have used a meter probe tester for years. I've no real idea how good it is. Every test I've done has come up more or less neutral. But I don't really trust it.... is it working properly....is the sample too dry....or too wet.......are all the soil particles making contact properly......is the probe clean enough? Most things grow in my garden, some better than others. Problems I have I generally put down to my clay soil or the weather.

    Sorry this is probably not a very good answer to your question but it is my experience.

    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
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