Soil Testing; Not as Simple as I Hoped! 🤔🤷♀️ // Garden Answer
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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Maybe to take it one step farther, send some soil in to the county extension office to see which one is closer to the real analysis. Not saying those tests weren’t real, but I sure would like to know which one is closer to being accurate.💚🙃
I’ve done the local extension office and it was very detailed and they also provided how to amend the soil.
Agreed!
Totally agree . I did local as well and being so new they explain to me in person even though it was on the computer. They have to be on top Bec of farms and agriculture so they help a lot of locals. So, I trust them more actually 🌻🌸 then private ( sorry ). I paid $11 only that includes NPK plus all the micros. Can't beat that price and service. ☺️🌹🌹
I agree using the county agent's office is free!
Working for Penn State Extension for many years, we highly recommend soil sampling. Our kits only cost $9 plus shipping, :) and our Master Gardener Volunteers are always happy to answer questions as well!
Does Penn State Extension service Sharon, PA, Sigel, PA, and Butler, PA?
@@charleenceaser3750 There is an Extension office in each of our 67 Counties (Mercer, Butler & Jefferson). However, you can download the form and mail in your samples while a lot of our offices are working remotely: extension.psu.edu/soil-testing
@@lauraorben7128 thank you for that information!
I really appreciate how you waited to upload this video to include the collection process and results all in one. I will usually rewatch the initial process(propagation, planting, etc) when the outcome or update videos are released, so I really love how it's all included. Your channel is so very helpful to all levels of gardeners!
... I was excited too for the results and was happy they were part of this today!
=^..^=
Just want to add a note of encouragement about using your local extension office for this service! It sounds like Laura might not have an active Master Gardener program, but in many areas you will find that the extension office is staffed with Master Gardener Volunteers who would delighted to walk you through the process of sending in a soil sample and interpreting the results. In my state, the cost is less than $20, you can customize your form and report so that the recommendations are pertinent to what you're trying to grow (blueberries vs. lawn vs. crops), and the results can be emailed to you. Those Master Gardener Volunteers are also usually quite experienced gardeners in the area and will know about local soil as well as methods for improving it. It wasn't until I talked to them that I realized there was a free source of leaf mulch I could be using!
FREE LEAF MULCH ?!!!!!
Sign me up!!!
Have you gotten any?
Is it already composted?!!
Composted Leaf Mulch is THE Best!!!
Where ARE you?!
Will they send ME some?!!! Hahaha!!!
I have TONS of leaves, but they are all Live Oak trees, and the leaves are very, very thick. So they take YEARS to break down. (About 3-4 years)
Even after running thru the lawn mower.
I'm so excited for you, I can't seem to stop with the multiple exclamation points!!!!
Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!
Build that soil!!!
Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs produce fantastic volunteers! And the programs themselves teach so much! I took a naturalist class when I moved to the country - taught me to love spiders and other beneficials!!
As a Volunteer Master Gardener based out of U of MN, I am very pleased to see your comment! If those reading this have more questions about soil health and soil testing, please do reach out to Your local extension office.
@@tonisaylor1507 Hi Toni..can you tell me abit about the spiders..I always like it when i see them..get a close look..look at the invisible webs they make..I hope to own my own property in the country ..I have a novel in the pipeline. Lia
So happy you put this out there! I heard $30 and was like wow ouch. Go to your local ag office. We get ours done for around $8-12. :)
I don’t know why watching you guys fill a bag with dirt is so entertaining 😆❤️ but it is...
I’m a soil scientist 👩🔬 this video is definitely my jam!
A SOIL SCIENTIST!!!
JUST the person we all want to talk to !!!
Do tell!
What would YOU add to soil where testing shows the nutrients are all in good order, yet your plants are suffering?
Which to me means the nutrients are all bound-up.
Do you think something different?
What organic solution would you add to ammendment the soil?
Add Microrhizzea?
Add Gypsum?
Both?
Neither?
I would LOVE to hear what you have to say!
@@gardengatesopen hahah I’ll preface this with I have a RUclips channel where I go through some of these topics. But essentially if you’re receiving readings where the soil is “okay” but the plants are showing signs of deficiencies the first step is pH.
pH is HUGELY important when it comes to something called bioavailability. The other issue maybe the form the nutrient is in, which a basic soil test will not show. For example what stage is a MAJORITY of the nitrogen in? Is it in the food ammonia, nitrate or nitrite? This matters, and there are ways to change the pace in which these cycles make nutrient bio available.
Other reason maybe the test itself, where was it take? And what depth? Did you use a spade or a soil probe? Was it before or after you added compost? Before or after a harvest? Do you have a low till/no till system?
And soil amendments, this is a HUGE topic and I’m actually starting a series on this over on my channel. But the biggest thing is what soil type are you starting with? Loam, clay or soilless (peat).
@@GardeningInCanada hello..definately agree..A perfect thing you joined in. Yes..will check your channel dear..It seems quite more complex then those tests make it..All these questions can only be answered by the person who works that land..xx
@@GardeningInCanada
Heading on over to your channel now! Thanks!! ♡
@@gardengatesopen awesome! And thanks! 🤓
We have recently moved from Texas coastal climate to a Tennessee plateau. EVERYTHING is different here which means we have so much to learn. We are now in the same growing zone you are growing in so I watch every video you have made that I can find. I was so excited when soil testing popped up today because that is the next thing on my agenda. I also find many of the comments from your viewers to be informative. I have adopted your channel as an online gardening club. Thanks a bunch for all you share.
Have you been to the UT Ag center in Crossville yet? It is an AMAZING resource! Classes, master gardener program, test gardens, plant sales, etc. Absolutely wonderful! plateau.tennessee.edu
Ph is on a logarithmic scale, which means a ph of 8.1 is about 3x more alkaline than a ph of 7.65.
Good to know.
Very helpful clarification.
Interesting
I recognize that term from advanced math class. In 1979. So the word is ALL I remember... Hahahahaha So glad you explained it! ❤️
@@eurekamarijka Logarithmic math relating to ph is a big reason why I dropped a chem major.
Possible, one is talking about 'available' nutrients (with water) while other analysed total minerals which includes those bound up & not available to plants.
I was wondering this same thing. It would make sense based on how the pH reacts to some of the nutrients showing low on the one.
Good point!
I know very little about all this but was wondering if that nutrient absorber thingy in the liquid sample might have affected it or showed they were testing differently - what was there v. what was missing... ?
Ah!! VERY good point Gillian!
I wonder if the paperwork mentions which one it is... ?
AND
I wonder if there IS such a test as "Unavailable Nutrients" ?
We - as humans, may not be able to test for nutrients that are bound-up in the soil.
?
We may only be able to see what's there thru testing, but then each plant tells us if it is not receiving proper amounts of certain minerals thru its growing habit, and leaf color, etc.
Example:
In a higher PH soil - Calcium is one that is easily bound in the soil, but unavailable to the plant roots.
Do our tests simply tell us how much Calcium is actually there?
Or how much is actually available to the plant roots?
So - if we tested it, and the soil analysis comes back with average to high Calcium, but the plant is telling us differently thru its symptoms.
Maybe the only way to tell if the Calcium is bound-up is by observation of what the leaf discoloration, and/or leaf curling, or leaf puckering, etc. is happening?
In which case the "fix" is to not add more Calcium to the soil, but to add the things that help release that Calcium, making it more available to the plant roots.
Gardening can be soooo scientific!!!
@@MargaretUIUC
I was wondering if there was a certain test for the "unavailable" nutrients, aside from just knowing there are some, & waiting for the plants to tell us.
Yes, our extension service is only $12 for the test vs. $30.
Types & costs of testing for my extension office, full test = $30:
Basic Soil Test..........................$9.00 per sample (Includes pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, and includes personalized recommendations)
Organic Matter Test.................$10 per sample (Loss on ignition, LOI)
Total Elemental Analysis..........$30 per sample (P,K,Ca,Fe,Mg,Mn,Mo,B,Cu,Ni,Na,S,Zn,Al,As,Cd,Cr,Pb) Periodic Table
Potting Media Testing...............$40 per sample (pH, P,K,Ca,Mg, Nitrate (NO3-N), Ammonium (NH4-N) Soluble Salts)
Insecticide Analysis..................$100 per sample (Contact office for details)
Herbicide Analysis....................$100 per sample (Contact office for details)
Nematode Testing Available (Click here for instructions)
I used to work at our local extension office. It is such a wonderful resource for communities, and the information provided is typically the latest and greatest from university research. At our office we provided tons of free info regarding agriculture, gardening, healthy eating, food safety, wellness, and so much more. I am curious to know how an analysis from your extension office would compare with these tests you used. In our state Purdue University has an extension office in each county. Do you have an extension office nearby?
I taught some sewing classes for the extension office where I used to live and attended free planting classes at another - they’re amazing resources that so many folks don’t know about! I grew up on a farm and active in 4-H, so I guess I took it for granted. 😁
I'd be frustrated by the results because of the differences. I think a 3rd test is necessary to see if it matches one of these. Plus, I will always love that hydrangea bed when you planted the King Tut and Supertunias.
Yes! The King Tut and the supertunias!
In NC soil testing is free April - November through the Agricultural Extension Service in each county. You just have to go pick up the kit from the office(for efficiency sake collect your soil and take it with you, fill out everything and turn it in while you are there.)
Banana bread, coffee and Laura oh my! Good morning 🙂
sameee !
Ikr❓❓❓
Coffee and dark chocolate walnuts for me.
Not nice if you don't share with the rest of us.
😊
@@Edu_Kate my apologies 😄😄
Good morning everyone. Have a blessed day. Spread a bit of kindness today. Thank you Laura for your kindness and inspiration in all you videos.
Thank you Pamela, you too!
Good Morning to you Pamela♡♡♡ Have A Blessed day as well♡♡♡ Amen, Spread A Little Kindness♡♡♡ That is so sweet ♡♡♡ GOD BLESS YOU ♡♡♡
A bit of Kindness, yes,yes♡♡♡
But is there a specific nutrient missing over by the barn where the hydrangeas are?
loved Aaron used the correct term "Dirt" which is misplaced soil . I only know this because my daughter, who is an Ag teacher told me, once and and I thought it was I would remember if it came up as a trivia question. :) Love, Love, watching you everyday, I have learned so much. Thank you for all your knowledge.
Hi Linda, I like the photo you have there. But cant make out what it is😊..Yes totally agree..Its so lovely to watch these vlogs and a great way to learn..Lia
@@SpecialgiftsLA click on that picture & it gets a little bit bigger. (If you haven't already.)
It looks like a nice statue in a garden! Very nice ♡♡♡
@@SpecialgiftsLA I think it is Mary or mary magdalin?? Just a guess. We have nuns as very close family friends and in their garden almost like this one looks lol they have either the same statue or very close. My eyes are very bad though so don't count on them lol
@@gardengatesopen hi..Love your name btw..any special meaning...? Im full of questions today..Thanks I will click to see..Lia
@@nancydeis7121 hi Nancy, I like white with green background..It might also be Jesus. .but Mary too..Thanks..I am an artist wanting to start some sort of channel..just not sure what or how to do it..Thanks for that..Lia
Yes, get it tested through your states extension service so much cheaper and they know about soil in your state
Lots of fantastic master gardeners on every state who can help you out.
You can just mail it in envelopes are free
A recommended book is The Regenerative Grower's Guide to Garden Amendments for building soil and nutrition it explains so much and such a good read
Greetings Laura, I’ve noticed you seem to have moved away from using gypsum as a soil amendment, which you used to use routinely. Can you discuss why?
Mostly aids in breaking up clay soils
I have been wondering about this too!
Bcuz as I understand it, while gypsum does aid in breaking up hard-pan soils, I thought it also helps make unavailable nutrients, more available.
But maybe I'm wrong... ?
Interesting results for sure. It was so nice to hear the crickets while you were at your parents. -6C here today in Manitoba, Canada with a bit of snow on the ground. 😊
I thought the same thing! It was peaceful
Oh wow! Sue, that's cold! Stay warm! God bless!
Got you beat: -14C here feels like -20C and over 5 cm of snow. Hi from Calgary, AB.
@@petrapiciacchia2456 Yikes! I have nothing to complain about then 🤣🤣
It’s nice to see other Canadians watching!
Aaron needs a mic too! Love to see him in these videos. Even just hearing the banter back and fourth is worth a mic!
Since you got such different results, what do you plan on doing to your soil from here on out? What you’ve been doing or adding any other amendments? It seems like it would be frustrating since you didn’t get a super clear answer from these tests - especially since they didn’t match when they probably should’ve.
I would also love for you guys to now take a sample to your local extension office and compare results, Also, have them give you recommendations based on your results. Soil chemistry shouldn't be this interesting, but somehow it is! 😂
This was so explanatory and detailed thank you for taking the time to do this much needed video!
I thought, at one point, that soil conditioners thought of as: manure, compost & Soil amendments where thought of as: Lime, acidifiers were different things
But then again before watching your video years ago I thought fertilizer was the same thing as well 🤷🏾♀️ 😂
Thank you for all of your time and dedication
Hope you’re doing well, I’m always impressed with how much you’re always doing 😅 your videos are always such a joy, thank you for sharing your world with us ☺️💖
you are so right about needing to know first the PH. If PH is not right, no matter how much fertilizer you apply, your plant will not absorb it. This is one of the most important videos you have posted!
Thank you
Good Morning 🌻😊
I laughed loud when Laura said her cats are like dogs😂
I had a cat who would play ball. She would bring it back and everything.....
Haha I thought she said they were like ducks - ducklings following mama duck everywhere!
Laura, so appreciated this video. We had our soil tested and the report came back stating we had zero calcium in our soil and recommended adding gypsum. Well, we made the mistake of getting the powdered type of gypsum, which just clumped and made a hard mat when it became wet. I think I am going to get another test done from our extension office, as I have never believed that our soil is completely devoid of calcium. I bought some espoma soil acidifier for my struggling hydrangeas, after seeing your video. I don't care what color they bloom, I just want to see some growth.
Off subject, but would love a video on how you store all of your products(bags of soil/fertilizer, irrigation, pots,etc) especially for winter. Also winter to do list would be very helpful!
Thank you for all of your information! Very helpful for a beginner gardener 😊
We had our soil tested at the county extension office and we didn't have to pay anything.
We get one free test a year. Sometimes I’ll have a sample run from the front and backyard separately and pay for one
Hey, just a suggestion , you have a stretch of iron deficit plants near the Gazebo area, shouldn't you have checked that out ? Just curious to know 🤔
They hydrangea issue: : I think the willow tree has a lot to do with why the hydrangeas on that end aren't growing . Weeping Willows have a shallow root system that spreads beyond the drip line sometimes
This is intersting, now I want to test my soil.
It would be interesting to send samples through your County Extension Agent and compare all of them.
Bonus points for using the word glean !!
Morning Laura and Aaron!
Never have had our soil tested. Thinking we should, although my husband says our soil is one of the best since it’s fertile Skagit Valley soil. I still want have it tested.
I had to giggle a tad when the soil sample instructions where about the same as when you send in DNA for genetic testing. First register your kit ID code in the website indicated. Soil of course is not used, however it’s your spit. You have to spit saliva into a glass tube. You first break the top of the special tubing, spit into it then shake and seal and mail it in. Fascinating results for mine that came back two years ago.
Have a great weekend! 💜
I’ve used SoilKit before! My tomatoes are doing so well now. I’m really satisfied.
You always attract the kitties. I did soil samples with my extension office years ago. They took a while but I trusted the results and if came with explanations and told me what I needed to do which wasn't much since I'm on top of my soil and it's health .
Right brain, left brain! Laura, you are a good science teacher!
You wrote down Garden Answer as return address and they sent you free test soil samples. So they know of your youtube channel. I think that's why they wrote down espoma. I love your Info. Thank u
They knew of her already, that’s why they sent the kits in the first place, without her asking for them.
This is so informative! I took an urban gardening class and this is as information as any class I've taken. Thank you!
hi Laura! I'm a senior in university studying agroecology and I got my associates in plant science. I loved this video bc I love the science behind gardening and farming! If you are looking for a more accurate test I would recommend talking to your local 4-year university on testing. Whereas soil testing is very important, just bc nutrients are in the soil does not mean they are physically in plants. Just like soil sampling, you can actually send off leaf samples to analyze what nutrients the plants are physically taking up!
What did your Mom’s show?😊 You just answered:) Did you know coffee grounds are acidic? Just throw your grounds out where you want the blue flowers😁👍❣️
Goodness! What a valuable lesson for us regarding all these definitions. Thank you for all this information.
Great video!! So very informative/educational Thank you!! 🙌🌞 I am so thankful RUclips gave me a notification of this Video even after only watching half of it this morning or I would have missed some of the best parts. This is a must save video! Y'all are a great resource for us gardeners.
Hi Laura and Aaron! This was very interesting. As others have mentioned, it would be nice to see the results of sending the same soil samples to your local extension agency. Thank you for sharing!
I would like to know more about what a master gardener is and how you get that certification. Do you use them? How to best use your local extension services.
A master gardener is a fancy title for someone who has taken a course through the county extension office and volunteers after that. I have a master gardener certificate, but I would never call myself a Master Gardener. It sounds a bit presumptuous to me and like I’m an expert and I know a lot more than most people about gardening. It is a good course and I did learn a lot, but it didn’t make me an expert.
@@cynthiafisher9907 thank you, very helpful
Very interesting Laura. I really liked how you compared the 2 different kits, and took the time to research what everything means. Thanks!
I did the soil kit PH 6.3. It recommends Espoma lawn food 9-0-0 (I tested only garden areas, so I don't know if I can put that lawn food on my flower beds). My extension office (Cuyahoga county Ohio) uses University of Massachusetts soil lab (cost unknown to me)-it's on the download info). I've been meaning to get my soil tested and by watching one of Garden Answer earlier videos I was inspired and motivated to finally get it done!!
Lack of organic matter is the biggest issue in the new plot. That's why trace elements are unstable.
Lots of times the Cooperative Extension Service thru ur Agriculture School at state university has a soil test service. I live in GA so the school is University of GA.. Would be interesting to see their results, too.. Be sure to get a mixed sample, and let Russell help! 😻 ❤️ 😻
I wonder if touching the soil changes results. The kit came with gloves. Oil from skin?
I bought a home kit that specified non-pwedered gloves, and the local garden center said to dig the hole and scrape down one edge of it to get soil from multiple layers rather than just from the bottom, which would only be that layer. ?? Going to do the extension office test now to see how it compares. Home test shows perfect pH but limes-low to low on almost everything else.
I did I science project on soil ph and put your channel as my lead source, l admire you so much!!! Dalutations form a snowy (and windy) Canada
I’m with you on the hydrangeas problem being a water issue . We just got through a drought I watered to keep them alive but not consistent at all . They look just like yours ! I was sad not to have the lovely antique pink blooms to cut and use in bouquets.
The trowel resembles one from Wilcox which is the absolutely BEST TROWEL. We sell them at our garden center (red handle😂). A favorite with our customers.
Thank you so much for a clear and concise explanation of the nutrients found in soil, and how Ph affects the absorption. As a Master Gardener in my county, in my experience, the number one thing backyard gardeners fail to do is have their soil tested. It's ironic, because any gardening book or website will tell you the most important thing you can do is test your soil. Everyone wants to skip this step and then they wonder why their plants do not thrive. When someone asks me what type of fertilizer to use I ask them if they had their soil tested. Usually the answer is no. How can I give advice if I have no idea what their soil needs.
Laura, I wonder if you're parents have particular trees, that are more on the acidic side like pine,, dropping & decomposing leaves, over the area where their hydrangeas are, causing the lower ph?
Oh very true!!!
Wow! I just listened to a podcast by another RUclipsr and it was on soil testing. It featured a soil scientist who reached the same conclusion you did Laura. Ultimately you have to amend your soil with generous amounts of compost, leaf mold and things like worm castings so your soil ph will correct itself and all of the nutrients that are leached out will be restored. Occasional you may have to take extra measures, but those issues are specific to your growing conditions.
I think testing your soil at least once is good. Just to get a bit more understanding. Thanks for this. It was really informative.
SO excited to see this video! We did a soil sample of our lawn this summer because, well, it was looking horrible, and used the same kit with the water in the container. You are exactly right when you say they should give you more information with the results. I thought the second company did a nice job with their suggestions for what amendments to use. I wish we had had that kind of help. Great video!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Really great video.! My take away, I'll use My Soil, soil test kit, especially now with some departments of my county offices still closed. I can tell you tho, my 94 yr old mother in law called the Extension Office for everything over the yrs.
W👀W! Those results are interesting and very different from each other. I thought they would be identical since the sample was essentially the same. I called my county extension office about two weeks ago and asked if they provide soil testing. They sent me a list of reliable labs in my area that do these tests and the contact information for each of them. It will have to wait until spring because right now, our outside temperature is 15⁰ F! Laura and Aaron, I love watching your videos, stay safe and healthy! ~Margie
Interesting you put this out there today. I have been putting together samples to send off through the county agricultural department. I filled 10 boxes from 10 different areas. It took me forever to collect from several spots within each of the 10 areas. We have a large property. I’m in NC and NC State University will test for free provided I get it right off to them by November.
Thank you Laura, I have been thinking about how to go about testing my soil for a long while and I really found this helpful and super interesting.
Question: I heard that soil testing should be taken more deeply than just below the surface because we apply so much mulch every year, that it breaks down and eventually “l👀ks” like soil. So somewhere between the root systems and top of ground is where soil should be taken from...Is this correct??? It seemed as though Aaron didn’t go down far enough for a “true” sample...I don’t know; just asking...❓❓❓
Nothing has been planted over there, and no mulching done on the new property. So not sure its as big of an issue.
@@thatssewvenice5337 : oh, that makes sense!
@@thatssewvenice5337 : By the way: I see you sew! I’ll follow your channel. I am a Quilter. So in the winter, when I’m unable to garden (which is my first love), I quilt! We have heavy snows here in Ohio. ♥️
Aww thanks. I dont have too many videos. I garden in the summer, sew in the winter hahahahha.
@Max Cat I also live in Ohio, gardening summer and quilt in the winter.
Interestiong to see your soil sample and results. Ive always wanted to do that but just never have. Glad you let us see what is going on in your "dirt".soil.
Yeah most extension offices are under $10 (ours is $3!) and offer simple instructions online and results come with suggested rates of amendments to add based on what you’re growing (landscape, home garden, commercial crops).
Thank you for going over your results with us. I recently had a soil sample done with our local ext office. We are in Fernandina Beach, Fl. There was lots of data. Very overwhelming. Our ph is good. Potassium low. I thought we had been dealing with chlorosis, but maybe it is one of the micro-nutrients, Manganese, as you said, Laura. Interestingly, our Envy Zinnia just bloomed but with just one round of petals.
Or it could be something in the soil that there is too much of, like salt?
@@cynthiafisher9907 Thank you! I will check into that.
Been watching your channel for several years and love it! Just noticing that you are looking just like your mum since you are pregnant again. So cool!
I'm loving your new baby belly! First time seeing a change! Sorry to mention because I was really
Intrigued by These soil samples, because I'm a scientist! And it's grabbing my brain interest, and always believe that you have to have some science knowledge in order to garden correctly!❤
I always wondered about this process and thought it might be a bit useless. I never did it, I just kept adding compost and mulch, plus a few added nutrients to plants that seemed to be having special issues. I might have done better using a test, but I rather doubt it. Thanks for explaining it. Found that one kit saying us Espoma products to be odd! Thanks for trying and explaining. Stay safe. (PS: we missed another Aaron music opportunity.)
So much to learn about soil structure 🤔 I’ve had my kit from the extension office sitting here all summer but like you kept putting it off. Off topic, it was great having Aaron chime in on The Impatient Gardener Q and A session. Will you be working together more?
WOW!! THAT'S AMAZING!!! Its encouraging that the one test recommended Espoma as a solution. I loved seeing the kitty 😺 cats 🐈 at your parents house. They loved following you also ❤
Thank you for continuing to bring us more knowledge 🙏
Loved this video. Interesting results.
I'm also Zone 6 in CT and had my soil tested 18 yrs ago. I used our local Agricultural Experiment Station and on the results it states results by the "Morgan method". My pH was 6.2 which sounds correct because my Nikko blue hydrangea blooms blue. Thanks you two!
It's amazing your garden looks and thrives as it does without even checking you soil.
Kind of like it was created to grow things!
This is one of the most coolest and favorite videos of yours. Reminding me of my bio and chem classes!
Laura and Aaron keeping secrets!!!! What’s that “future use” box gonna be used for?? 👀
Saturday Morning Coffee time with Laura! What a great start to the weekend. I have been thinking about getting a soil sample done for some time now, and you have just given me the knowledge and tools! Thank you so very much. 🌻👩🏼🌾🌻
wow!!! super interesting stuff!! how many of us are ordering soil testing kits now??? i have a new area we are working on, 80' long, so yeah.. i think i will take samples all along there and see what i get... i want to study reviews on each company and see if i can figure out which one gets the best reviews.. they both seem like they do a good job but having such different results is very interesting... something to investigate!!! (and a new blog post for me!) gonna put on my scientist hat and get to studying later... right now i get to put my weeding hat on and get busy out there... i loved stuff like this!!! thanks for the video!!
This was a really helpful video. Testing my soil is something I've wanted to do for a long time but wasn't sure how to do it and what to make of the results. Perhaps it's something I can do before our ground freezes hard so I can plan accordingly for the next growing season. Thank you, Aaron and Laura!
Really useful video, Laura. I just ordered the My Soil Testing kit. Thanks for this!
Thank you for this. I'm sure most of us have known we can do this but I never have. It was nice to see the process all the way through.
Aaron putting on gloves ...Another missed theme song opportunity...🤣😂🤣😂
If you'd had a crystal ball to forsee how wildly different the results were going to be, it would have been good to add a 3rd testing company, also get a home use test kit, and finally have your local extension agency test a sample (which is what we all used to do before the mail in companies became prevalent) just to see if any of them agreed. I am quite a bit older, grew up on a farm, and was lucky enough to have had a lot of really good gardening television shows on air when I was in my late teens through my thirties (and have always read gardening books and catalogs like they were novels) where I picked up a ton of information that your younger viewers have missed out on because there's a lack of quality gardening television shows today, even if anyone still gets regular TV, lol. That's one of the reasons your fantastic YT channel is so important, and so popular, you are filling a void that didn't exist before but in the last couple of decades has really been missing. I try to remind myself that the younger people here, and even the older ones who just weren't into gardening back in the day, haven't had the sources of information that used to exist. I loved all the gardening shows i used to watch and am glad that you are here on YT. P.S. at least I subscribe to Brit Box and can watch Gardener's World. Just wish Beechgrove Garden would come back, too.
Even at your parents house the cats follow you 🐈😅
I noticed that too!
Must be the dried fish she tucks in her cuffs. 🐟
She's a cat magnet
I love to research and know I would have looked at both company's summary of their testing processes before testing and if I needed more clarity after receiving results I may look at customer reviews online.
I am using Sunday lawn services and they also do a soil sample (still waiting on the results) for the lawn but assume the results would also be helpful for flower beds. How often do you suggest we do these soil tests to ensure the changes we are making are impacting the soil correctly?
Before you plant anything new on your new property in spring you could use Green manure, e.g. mustard seed. Maybe it helps.
I had soil from our property tested a few years ago (UT Extension office, Tennessee) and the results were very difficult to interpret. Back then, just 5-6 years ago, it was free. Now they charge $15 per test, and, at least for now, they don't provide containers. On the website right now it clearly says : "During COVID, you do not need a soil box. Please fill a sturdy quart plastic bag and write your name in permanent marker." We are then instructed to drop off our sample at the office or mail it. If mailed, we have to pay online in advance and include proof of that in our mailing. Since it's been a while, I was wondering if the results are easier now to interpret, but with a $15 price tag, I'm thinking I might opt to use one of these companies. I like how much easier the results are to read, I really like that "what you should do" tips that were included with that one that was sent dry.
good moring 🙌🏻🍂🌻
I send mine to state university lab..( Maine) basic test is. $ 18 with tons of other testing options. You can request test kits thru email, and they send the kits to you
On the coast of Maine the hydrangeas grow bight blue! So beautiful 🦋
I used my local extension office for free years ago to test my soil but it's pretty much a no brainer around here alkaline clay!
It will interesting to see the difference between the raw land in the new area verse soil that has been worked and amended of the years. Even if you dig down a foot or so in areas that have been used over the last few years there should be a difference.
Wow. Going to have to watch this twice to take it all in. Thanks for the info!
I got a testing kit this spring and have been hesitant to use it. I feel like each bed in my veg garden has different soil so the whole process has been intimidating. Thanks for the boost to just give it a try!
It was very informative Laura!🙂 I also love how Aaron went with you to do this Laura 😉. When you haven’t had a good partnership you know one when you see one! Remember though -because people aren’t perfect (at least I know I’m not-lol), very little is ‘perfect’. Oh, excepting a beautiful bunch of flowers, a beautiful fall day, or time spent by the seaside 😊🍁
This was super helpful Laura. I do not have any luck with hydrangeas in my yard. I think I well absolutely do this.
Thanks again great info!
Re hydrangea border...have you called the local natural gas supplier about a possible leaky pipe?
🤯 lol I TRIED to keep up with you Laura! That’s a whole lot of great information that I’ve never thought of before so thank you!